RAHEEM STERLING’s move to Napoli will be “difficult” due to his wage demands, according to the club’s sporting director.
The England international is a free agent after his £325,000-a-week Chelsea contract was ripped up.
Sterling had been frozen out by the Blues all season since returning from an unsuccessful loan at Arsenal last year.
The winger, who hasn’t played a competitive game for Chelsea since May 2024, will now be looking ahead to the next chapter of his career.
He has been linked with a move to Napoli this month, but club chief Giovanni Manna has poured doubt over the deal.
Manna revealed Antonio Conte’s side had opened talks with Sterling about a possible switch to Naples last year.
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And he admitted the player’s eye-watering salary would likely prove too much for the club.
He told Sky in Italy: “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.”
Chelsea announced Sterling’s departure on Wednesday with a brief statement.
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The Blues said: “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.”
Sterling had another 18 months to run on his previous Chelsea deal.
He will struggle to find a club that is willing to pay the £325,000-a-week he was on at Chelsea.
Fulham and West Ham have both expressed interest in the player in recent months alongside Napoli.
Bayern Munich were also exploring a deal in the summer, but the move never came to fruition.
He made 81 appearances for Chelsea in total and played 17 times for Arsenal on loan, failing to score.
Sterling is said to be keen to stay in London, where his family are based, but a move abroad cannot be ruled out.
He has won four Premier League titles and six domestic cups during his storied career.
Sterling has 577 total career appearances, scoring 174 after spells with Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
