Raheem Sterling in limbo as he returns to train with Chelsea bomb squad

RAHEEM STERLING has been back at Chelsea for a week but stands at a crossroads.

The winger, 30, returned from a failed loan at Arsenal to train with the Blues' undesirables —  a group boasting a fair few international caps.

Sterling has been working alongside Joao Felix, Axel Disasi, Ben Chilwell and — until his £25million switch to Bournemouth — Djordje Petrovic.

None of them are in Enzo Maresca’s plans at Stamford Bridge and the club’s directors have some busy days ahead to move them on.

Not one of the senior players will be involved in the Chelsea XI which face Bromley this afternoon to officially start pre-season.

With two years left on his £325,000-a-week deal, it is key for both Sterling and Chelsea that an answer is found.

At the time of writing, no talks have been held between player and club over a transfer — though both are relaxed about finding a solution.

Yet it is a far cry from last summer.

Sterling was an almost ever-present on the summer tour 12 months ago before coming home to find out he was no longer needed.

A scramble ensued to find a move away, with the Blues holding out for Saudi interest before a late trip across London to the Emirates was agreed.

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It was a messy experience that neither will want, or can afford, to go through again.

Chelsea prefer to find a permanent solution this time, though it is unclear how that looks at this stage.

They could look to land a fee for the former Manchester City man or pay off the remainder of his deal, which could cost them north of £30m.

The Blues hope to recoup £20m for a player who cost them £47.5m three years ago, but even that looks difficult, with only a Saudi club likely to pay anywhere close to his huge wages.

Sterling does not need more money but it would be foolish for anyone to stroll away from what they are owed and there is an acceptance any transfer comes with a sizeable pay cut.

Chelsea will feel that, if they are to allow him to leave early and continue his playing career, there needs to be some compromise on both sides.

Talks must first focus on how Sterling’s exit looks, before discussions move on to where he could end up.

As with last summer, there will be little interest in a move to the Saudi Pro League or Major League Soccer in America.

Potential London rival interest

Sterling’s family are settled in London and his son, Thiago, is part of the Gunners’ academy.

Crystal Palace expressed an interest last summer and all parties could be forgiven for feeling that was an option they should have taken 12 months ago rather than Arsenal where he started just seven Premier League games.

It is safe to assume that a deal to another top-six club — even having played for Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City — is very unlikely.

Chelsea have not contacted London rivals to gauge interest as of yet, but Fulham, Brentford, Crystal Palace and West Ham could all do worse than ask the question.

It is a sorry end for what was the first flagship signing of this American ownership at Stamford Bridge but, at 30 years of age, it need not be the final curtain for a player with 82 England caps.

Cool heads around the negotiating table, whenever they eventually meet, and Sterling could be on the rise again, just not on the King’s Road.

Chelsea's big clearout

Meanwhile, Chelsea's big clearout is under way as they bid to balance the books after splashing £169million on new players already this summer.

SunSport’s DAN KING lists the stars who could follow Noni Madueke out the door, what Blues paid for them and how much they want  now . . .

NICOLAS JACKSON

Cost £30m, want £60m

Senegal striker has Liam Delap and Joao Pedro ahead of him so  selling makes room for players needed in the Champions League.

JOAO FELIX

Cost £38.4m, want £35m

Joined after a tough loan stint last year.  Benfica will take him home but for a lower price that gives Blues half of any future fees.

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU

Cost £56m, want £35m

Did well at the Club World Cup but the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star’s value has tumbled as his career stalled in two years at Chelsea.

AXEL DISASI

Cost £38m, want £26m

Mixed spell on loan at Aston Villa did little to add to his value and interested clubs, such as Newcastle, are not willing to meet Blues’ valuation.

TREVOH CHALOBAH

Academy, want £40m

Played a big part in second half of last season yet, as an academy graduate, the defender remains a very tempting sale with PSR. 

BEN CHILWELL

Cost £50m, want £15m

He and Reece James are the only survivors of the 2021 Champions League win and another where Blues will take a knockdown fee.

CARNEY CHUKWUEMEKA

Cost £15m, want £40m

Borussia Dortmund took the on-loan midfielder to the Club World Cup but will not pay the asking price for the  former Villa youngster, 21.

RENATO VEIGA

Cost £11.75m, want £30m

Not guaranteed a spot at centre-back where he did well on loan at Juventus and Blues look ready to cash in after just a year.

LESLEY UGOCHUKWU

Cost £23.5m, want £20m

Valencia and Hamburg are keen on a loan but Chelsea prefer a buyer — although only a Prem club will come up with the cash they want.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL

Cost £30m, want £30m

Both West Ham and Everton looked at loan moves with an obligation to buy in January  — and might try again IF the price drops.