Raheem Sterling leaves Chelsea after three and a half years ahead of January transfer deadline

Raheem Sterling has left Chelsea after three and a half years at the club.

Sterling is now free to sign for any club as a free agent after mutually agreeing the terms of his exit.

All options are on the table for Sterling and he will not restrict his search for a new club to London. He is willing to play anywhere.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has told Sky in Italy that a move to the Italian club is hard to envisage because of Sterling's "significant financial expectations".

The 31-year-old had not played for Chelsea since May 2024 even though he has remained one of the club's best-paid players, earning a reported £325,000 a week.

Sterling had 18 months left on a contract that could have cost Chelsea £25m if he were to stay until it ran out in the summer of 2027.

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The winger, a £47.5m arrival from Man City in 2022, was the first men's signing under Chelsea's current owners. He joined in the summer when co-owner Todd Boehly had installed himself as interim sporting director.

Sterling spent time on loan at Arsenal last season and has been training away from the first team since he came back to Chelsea last summer.

Sterling has had interest from Fulham and Napoli among other clubs, but was not keen on another loan move, only a permanent deal.

A club statement of 60 words concluded with: "We thank Raheem for the contribution he made while a Chelsea player and wish him well for the next stage in his career."

Sterling made 81 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions after joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

Analysis: Sterling still feels like he has a lot to offer

Sky Sports News' chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:

Sterling is willing to play anywhere as he prepares to continue his career after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent.

All options are on the table with Sterling not limiting himself by only targeting a move to a club in London.

Experienced 31-year-old winger Sterling, who has 82 England caps and won 13 major trophies, feels he still has a lot to offer the game.

Sterling still had 18 months left on his Chelsea contract but was insistent he did not want another loan move.

He spent last season on loan at Arsenal but felt his game time was dictated by the terms of the agreement and did not want to be in that situation again.

Instead, Sterling wanted to secure a permanent move and fresh start, with stability and security his priorities.

Napoli deliver verdict on Sterling transfer

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."

'A travesty that Sterling isn't playing football'

Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett on The Transfer Show:

"Raheem Sterling can sign wherever he wants now. He can take his time in assessing his next move.

"He's not tied to the transfer window now. He doesn't have to get a move in the next five days, he can take stock and talk to clubs away from here for the rest of the season.

"It's just extraordinary that three seasons ago, Sterling was one of the best and most potent players in the Premier League and England built their team around him for the World Cup in Qatar.

"Three years ago, he was England's second-highest scorer after Harry Kane of the players that went to that World Cup.

"But since then, Sterling has been in the doldrums.

"For a player of his calibre who should be at the peak of his powers, it's a travesty that he's not playing football right now.

"If the outcome of all this is Sterling moves somewhere else in the next few weeks, gets himself settled and playing football again, it's great for him.

"The issue now is there will be no end of clubs interested in taking him, but there will be nobody prepared to pay him £300,000 per week.

"He will have to take a huge pay cut to keep his career wherever he goes. It'll be interesting to see, after two years of not playing much football, who will take a punt on him."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Raheem Sterling leaves Chelsea after three and a half years ahead of January transfer deadline