Raheem Sterling's 'significant financial expectations' make a move to Napoli hard to envisage, according to the club's sporting director Giovanni Manna.
Napoli are one of the clubs that have previously shown an interest in the winger and Manna says they held talks with Sterling over the summer.
However, Napoli's sporting director does not expect the 31-year-old to join Antonio Conte's side because of his wage demands.
Speaking to Sky in Italy before Napoli's Champions League game against Chelsea, Manna said: 'Raheem is very good, but he hasn't been playing for a long time.
'We spoke with him during the summer but I see it as difficult right now, he has significant financial expectations.'
Sterling officially left Chelsea on Wednesday by mutual agreement, with his £325,000-per-week contract - which still had 18 months to run - ripped up to end his Stamford Bridge exile.
Despite Manna seemingly pouring cold water on an imminent move, the 31-year-old is open to considering a move abroad, Daily Mail Sport has been told, with the attacker previously keen to stay in London.
The terms of Sterling's settlement are not being revealed by either side, but we understand it achieves a meaningful saving to Chelsea while also allowing the winger to reignite his career.
A club statement confirmed: 'Raheem Sterling has today departed Chelsea Football Club by mutual agreement, bringing to an end three-and-a-half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City.
'We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career.'
Sterling took to Instagram to share a brief message, saying: 'All eyes on the future. God is great.'
Sterling is now a free agent with sources close to the 82-time capped England international believing it will open up the market on his behalf as an experienced player who has represented the biggest Premier League clubs and is still in his early thirties.
All options are open now. He was not willing to take his children out of school for another loan but a permanent offer would change everything.