One of Chelsea's Premier League London rivals have reportedly entered the race to sign exiled attacker Raheem Sterling.
The 29-year-old has been ruthlessly banished from the main group under Enzo Maresca, sharing the same fate as a surfeit of other unwanted figures in the Blues' bloated squad.
Sterling was a shock omission from the matchday squad for last weekend's defeat to Manchester City, leading to his team releasing a statement insisting that they wanted "clarity" from the club over his position.
Maresca has made his stance perfectly clear, also not selecting Sterling for the first leg of their Europa Conference League playoff against Servette and claiming that he wishes to work with attackers of a different ilk.
While Sterling still has three years left to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge, all parties are now working to sever him from his terms in West London, as it has become clear that his future lies elsewhere.
© Reuters
Crystal Palace join race for Sterling?
Aston Villa - who can offer Sterling the chance to play in this season's Champions League - have reportedly been offered the chance to sign the former Manchester City man, who has no interest in joining a team in Saudi Arabia.
Now, the Evening Standard claims that Chelsea's local foes Crystal Palace are also willing to offer Sterling an escape route from Stamford Bridge and have registered their interest in a summer deal.
Despite already adding Daichi Kamada and Ismaila Sarr to their ranks this summer, the Eagles are on the hunt for a replacement for Michael Olise, who snubbed Chelsea in 2023 before joining Bayern Munich this summer.
The long-serving Jordan Ayew has also departed for Leicester City, while big clubs are thought to be queuing up to sign Eberechi Eze, apparently wanted by the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Sterling is believed to be keen to remain in the Premier League and more specifically in London, having set his sights on a return to the England squad, but his £300,000-a-week wages could make his exit particularly complicated.
© Imago
While clubs in Saudi Arabia would have no problem bowing to those financial demands, the report adds that Chelsea may have to fork out a portion of his wages if he joins another Premier League side or loan, unless Sterling agrees to a mammoth pay cut.
Why is Maresca letting Sterling leave Chelsea?
Sterling's feats at Chelsea so far - 19 goals and 12 assists in 81 matches - certainly pale when compared to his Manchester City achievements, and few can forget his one-man horror show against Leicester City in the FA Cup last season.
A consistent run of matches in pre-season appeared to foreshadow a successful working relationship between Sterling and Maresca, but it has been the complete opposite, thanks in no small part to the Blues' abundance of wide options.
When it comes to left wingers alone, Pedro Neto and Mykhaylo Mudryk are above Sterling in the pecking order, while Christopher Nkunku can also function in almost every position in the forward line.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner labelled Sterling "a fantastic player" when the rumours were put to him, but a move will surely not be feasible without a financial sacrifice on at least one end.
Ben Knapton
