Chelsea left with €36m problem as transfer window slams shut

Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling faces being marooned at Stamford Bridge this season, with the winger receiving no suitable offers to leave the club.

Sterling, 30, is one of a number of players the Blues had hoped to move on this summer but unless there is a late twist in the market, the 82-time capped England winger will be staying put.

Last season, he was subject to a late loan move to Arsenal but after a disappointing campaign at the Emirates there will be no such reprieve this time around.

There had been interest reported from the likes of Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham, but no deal was ultimately brokered. In part, this was due to complications relating to the player’s sizeable salary.

Raheem Sterling transfer verdict falls

Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol explains: “It looks like Raheem Sterling is staying at Chelsea unless something unexpected and dramatic happens in the final hour of the window.

“Time has almost run out for Chelsea to present Sterling with an opportunity which would lead to him moving today.

“Sterling has two years left on his Chelsea contract and with his family settled in London, I think his preference would have been to move not too far away.

“I think it was up to Chelsea to put present Sterling with opportunities he could consider, bearing in mind the impact that it could have on his family and his career.

“I don’t know what’s been put in front of him but I think it’s fair to assume now that he will still be a Chelsea player tomorrow.”

Sterling has previously had offers from the Saudi Pro League and MLS but has rejected those in order to remain at a competitive league.

It does present Chelsea with a problem, though. Sterling is under contract for two more years with the club and possesses a hefty salary worth an estimated €18 million per year.

He is not in the club’s current Premier League squad and is unlikely to be integrated into Enzo Maresca’s panel after the transfer deadline, leaving him little more than an expensive accessory to the Chelsea squad.

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