Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea are reportedly struggling to find a buyer for £300,000-a-week outcast Raheem Sterling.

Raheem Sterling’s future has been up in the air since the start of the summer. He is not a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans moving forward, and the Blues are keen on getting him off their books. But, according to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, the West London club are struggling to attract suitors because of the English international’s lofty wages at Stamford Bridge.

Sterling joined the Blues in the summer of 2022 from Manchester City. While he was an integral part of their plans in the initial years, the move has not really worked out. He was surplus to requirements last season; as a result, Chelsea ended up sending him out on loan to rivals Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta was very keen on having him in his squad, but it did not click for Sterling at the North London club. After an unsuccessful loan spell, the Englishman is back at Stamford Bridge, and he still has two years left on his deal. However, he is not a part of Maresca’s plans and won’t get any minutes if he ends up staying.

Chelsea want Raheem Sterling off their books

Chelsea are pushing hard to find Raheem Sterling a new club, with his representatives also working on potential options. While there is interest from across Europe, the Blues are yet to receive any formal offers for the 30-year-old, who reportedly prefers a move to another London club amid links with Fulham and West Ham United.

Sterling’s preference is to continue in England, though he could consider other opportunities. However, while multiple top clubs have been linked with him, none have made a concrete approach, largely due to his hefty wages.

Earning over £300,000 per week at Chelsea, Sterling’s salary is proving a major stumbling block for potential suitors. Even if a suitor does come forward, the West London club might have to pay a portion of his wages to get a deal over the line.

O’Rourke on Chelsea’s struggles

While speaking about his future to Football Insider, O’Rourke said: “We know that Chelsea are open to letting Sterling leave before the close of the window. He spent last season at Arsenal because he wasn’t in the plans at Chelsea.

“He still doesn’t remain in those plans, Chelsea are willing to let Sterling move on. He’s a bit of an outcast at Stamford Bridge, but he’s still a very experienced Premier League player. A few clubs in the Premier League will be looking at Sterling’s situation and hoping that they can maybe lure him away.

“There are clubs across Europe looking at Sterling as well. The problem for a lot of these clubs is the huge salary, because he’s on well over £300,000 per week at Chelsea and that could be hard for other teams to get to. Maybe Chelsea might have to pay a portion of that salary if some of those clubs are to follow up their interest in Sterling. As things stand, they’re struggling to attract interest in him.”

With the World Cup coming up in 12 months, Sterling might accept a pay cut to secure a move to a club where he could have a prominent role. But, even if he is ready to lower his demands, he could still prove to be a very expensive signing for any club.

Apart from Fulham and West Ham, Turkish giants Besiktas seem keen on his signature; they want to sign a marquee forward and could certainly put forward a lucrative offer to the 30-year-old winger.