The Hammers and Eagles were linked with the player earlier this summer, with recent developments at Stamford Bridge adding weight to rumors of a summer move.
West Ham and Crystal Palace could rekindle their interest in Chelsea striker Raheem Sterling after Enzo Maresca made the bombshell decision to leave the player out of his squad for the away game at Manchester City at the weekend.
The Blues lost 2-0 to the Champions at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but the headlines before and after the game revolved around Sterling’s sending off. Even before the ball was kicked, this decision triggered a sharp reaction from the 29-year-old’s representatives.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, the player’s team said that Raheem Sterling has a contract with Chelsea Football Club for the next three years … as always he is determined to achieve at the highest level for Chelsea FC … according to his inclusion as official club material before the game this week, we expected Raheem to be involved in some capacity this weekend.
“As a camp we have always had a positive dialogue with Chelsea FC and assurances from him regarding Raheem’s future at the club and we look forward to clarifying the situation.”
The former Liverpool and Manchester City player appears to have been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, which could spark a transfer race to secure his signature. Sterling has an impressive 123 goals in League One and has won the division four times, making him the winner of all rivals in the Premier League.
HITC reports that West Ham and Crystal Palace “showed some interest” in Sterling earlier this summer. A player wanted from Chelsea could help make such a move happen.
The report also claims that clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also eyeing a deal to take Sterling away from west London. However, the winger himself has shown “little desire” to move to the Middle East at this point in his career.
HITC adds that Chelsea are proactively looking to sell the striker, who has three years left on his contract, and are even covering part of his wages to ease the loan on their wage book. Bayern Munich and Juventus are the two clubs they have “talked to” about the transfer.