Chelsea lose patience with big-money star that Mikel Arteta loves

Robin Bairner

• 29 Feb 2024 06:50 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea have lost patience with winger Raheem Sterling and have been touting him to Saudi Pro League clubs in a bid to raise interest for a summer transfer.

The 29-year-old was a member of the Chelsea side that struggled past Leeds United in the FA Cup on Wednesday, with their 3-2 victory only arriving at the last moment thanks to Conor Gallagher’s sharp finish in the box.

The goal might have saved Mauricio Pochettino’s job and fuels the campaign for Gallagher to remain at Stamford Bridge, yet when the ball hit the net, Sterling was already on the bench after being withdrawn following a lacklustre display.

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The former Liverpool and Manchester City man has managed only eight goals and nine assists across 33 games in all competitions this season, and that is not enough for the Blues, who have the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules to consider ahead of the summer.

He had already been linked with a quick exit from the Blues last summer while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is said to be a massive fan.

HITC reports that Sterling has been offered to Saudi Pro League sides in the hope that one catches interest in the player.

READ MORE: Latest Chelsea transfer rumours

It is stated that “intermediaries have spoken with clubs in Saudi Arabia about a prospective summer deal for Raheem Sterling.”

Al-Hilal have taken an interest in the winger, it is stated. Chelsea have previously worked with Neymar’s club over a deal that took Kalidou Koulibaly to the Pro League last summer.

What is Sterling’s transfer value?

The Blues can hope to land a hefty transfer fee for Sterling, who they signed in 2022 in a deal worth around €56 million.

Despite Chelsea’s struggles, Sterling’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has held up well, and the attacker, who is under contract until 2027, is still worth €62m.

Should a deal be brokered, though, it will raise further questions over Chelsea’s relationship with Saudi Arabia, with the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Newcastle, having also bought into Clearlake Capital.