Chelsea’s January transfer window is finally starting to show some signs of life after a quiet opening two weeks where it looked as if little movement was expected.
The Blues are stepping up their attempts to sign Jeremy Jacquet as they look to address the defensive problems that have plagued them this season.
Chelsea are also nearing the signing of Yisa Alao, a player from Sheffield Wednesday who is seen as a prospect for the future at the West London club.
No major departures are anticipated this month, but the club would welcome moves for a few players currently well outside the first-team picture.
Napoli set to open discussions over Raheem Sterling move
Raheem Sterling is one of those players, having been left out of Chelsea’s Premier League squad for the season.
With Axel Disasi now back in first-team training, it looks like any remaining ties between Sterling and the club are all but severed. Napoli appear ready to make their move.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that Napoli plan to speak with Sterling’s representatives today to see if an agreement can be found.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano explained: “From today, Napoli will also get in touch with the agents of Raheem Sterling at Chelsea to understand whether to proceed with this deal or not. So contacts are expected between Napoli and Sterling’s entourage to figure out how Napoli want to move on this situation.
“Sterling is one of the names on the list, one of the players available on the market because he is completely out of Chelsea’s project, and therefore one of the names that has been proposed to Napoli several times. This isn’t the first time – he was also offered to Napoli last summer, when Napoli chose not to proceed. Now, clearly, the situation is different and Napoli are making their evaluations.
“Napoli had asked those handling the Sterling operation for a bit of patience, because yesterday and today Napoli didn’t want any kind of distraction. But now Napoli can move into the phase of final decisions regarding Raheem Sterling, who will soon understand whether he can move to Italy or not.
“I can confirm, to conclude on Sterling, that from what I’m told he would very much welcome an experience outside England. He has played almost exclusively in England throughout his career and would like the chance of something different – also considering the experiences of players who were no longer finding the space they deserved in England, like Scott McTominay and Rasmus Højlund. Sterling has that same desire. We’ll see whether Napoli decide to move forward or not.”
Liam Rosenior comments on Raheem Sterling
Plenty of players who did not get much of a look-in under Enzo Maresca have been given fresh starts with the new manager now in charge.
Sterling never played a minute of competitive football under Maresca, and at the moment, there is no indication that this will change under Liam Rosenior either.
The manager mentioned he was planning to sit down for further discussions with the winger, hoping to sort out his future soon.
Sterling’s £50m move (BBC Sport) has clearly made those in charge more cautious about handing out big wages to new signings since then.
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