Raheem Sterling is officially a free agent after Chelsea confirmed on Wednesday that the club and the England forward had reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract, bringing an end to his three-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
The 31-year-old had 18 months remaining on the deal he signed in 2022 following his £47.5 million move from Manchester City, but all parties agreed that a clean break was the best solution.
Sterling was the first major men’s signing of the Todd Boehly–Clearlake Capital ownership era, arriving shortly after the consortium completed its takeover from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
End of a High-Profile Chelsea Chapter
During his time at Chelsea, Sterling made 81 appearances and scored 19 goals, but his influence waned as the club pivoted toward a recruitment model focused on younger players tied to long-term contracts.
Frozen out under former head coach Enzo Maresca, Sterling spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Arsenal, where he failed to revive his career.
His final competitive appearance came in May 2025, Arsenal’s last game of the season, meaning he has now gone eight months without match action.
In recent months, Sterling had been training away from Chelsea’s first-team squad at Cobham, with no pathway back under new head coach Liam Rosenior.
Why Chelsea and Sterling Chose Separation
Chelsea were keen to remove Sterling’s £325,000-per-week salary from their wage bill, having unsuccessfully explored exit options in previous transfer windows.
According to sources, several clubs had enquired about a loan, but Sterling made it clear he preferred a permanent move, citing the need for stability both professionally and for his family.
He was also reluctant to disrupt his children’s schooling with a temporary relocation.
Those factors ultimately led to the decision to terminate the contract by mutual consent.
Napoli Cool on Deal Amid Financial Concerns
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has already cast doubt over a potential move to Italy, citing Sterling’s salary expectations as a major stumbling block.
“Raheem is very good, but he hasn’t been playing for a long time,” Manna told Sky Italia.
“We spoke with him during the summer but I see it as difficult right now, he has significant financial expectations.”
Napoli were knocked out of European competition on Wednesday after a 3–2 home defeat to Chelsea.
What Comes Next for Sterling?
As a free agent, Sterling is now able to negotiate directly with interested clubs. While his preference is reportedly to remain in London, he is open to offers from both England and abroad.
Sources say West Ham and Fulham have shown interest in recent weeks, while Crystal Palace have previously tracked him.
Despite his recent struggles, Sterling remains an attractive option on paper:
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82 England caps
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13 major trophies
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Awarded an MBE in 2021
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A prominent voice in anti-discrimination campaigns
Chelsea’s Official Statement
Chelsea said in a statement:
“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.”
