Chelsea open to Raheem Sterling loan exit as part of eight-strong exodus

Chelsea are prepared to consider loan proposals for Raheem Sterling as they attempt to secure the exits of eight more players before the transfer window shuts in two weeks.

Sterling spent last season on loan at Arsenal and while the preference of Chelsea and the player would be to find a permanent solution to his future, a second successive loan is not being ruled out.

Other than Sterling, Chelsea are looking to arrange sales or loans for Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and potentially Tyrique George over the next fortnight, while Aarón Anselmino has interest from Europe.

Fulham have shown an interest in Sterling and it is believed the 30-year-old would like to remain in the Premier League and more specifically London, where his family is settled.

But Sterling is said to be open to the right opportunity should interest materialise elsewhere in the Premier League, while there has also been interest in the England international from overseas.

Arsenal had to rush through a loan move for Sterling on the final day of last summer’s transfer window. The hope this year is that he and Chelsea will have more time to discuss and consider moves.

Sterling has two years remaining on his Chelsea contract and has been training with the loan group, away from Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad, while he waits to finalise his future.

Sources maintain he has remained positive and professional and there is optimism that a solution that suits all parties can be handled respectfully and professionally.

The fact Sterling is paid over £300,000 per week by Chelsea is the biggest hurdle for clubs to overcome and the club had to continue paying a percentage of his salary while he was at Arsenal last season. Sterling scored one goal and registered five assists on loan, having scored 10 goals and chalked up 11 assists during the previous campaign at Chelsea. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, the former Manchester City star scored nine times and registered four assists.

It is anticipated that Chelsea will accelerate moves for Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho once one or both of Nkunku and Jackson leave the club.

Jackson was suspended for the first Premier League game of the season, but has been told that he is not currently part of head coach Maresca’s first-team plans.

Napoli are searching for a striker following an injury to Romelu Lukaku and are close to Jackson’s camp with talks expected to take place, although finances could be an issue. Newcastle United have been linked with Jackson, while there is believed to be interest from Juventus and AC Milan. 

Bayern Munich have held talks about a move for Nkunku, but the Germans have so far only proposed a loan deal, though Chelsea hope to secure a sale.

Veiga has attracted interest from Villarreal after a proposed move to Atlético Madrid collapsed, while Chukwuemeka wants to return to Borussia Dortmund, where he spent last season on loan.

Chelsea believe that they will have raised close to £300m in player sales once the transfer window shuts, giving them a net spend of close to zero.