(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)

Oliver Walton

Fri 8 August 2025 19:33, UK

Crystal Palace could make a genuine approach to sign Raheem Sterling amid uncertainty over Oliver Glasner’s future in charge at Selhurst Park.

'Raheem Sterling the master of his own destiny with Premier League, US and Saudi options'	Crystal Palace ‘powerless to prevent Oliver Glasner exit’ after huge CAS blow	Oliver Glasner 'edges closer to Crystal Palace exit' as rivals spring transfer blow

Sterling joined Chelsea as one of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s first marquee signings back in 2022, in a £47.5million [Sky Sports] deal from Manchester City.

His time at Stamford Bridge has largely been one of struggle and woe since, and he was sent out on loan to Arsenal last summer after Enzo Maresca admitted that Sterling would struggle to get game-time under his management.

(Credit: Imago)

The 82-cap England international made just seven league starts for the Gunners as they finished second in the Premier League, and with no future at Stamford Bridge, Sterling was left out of Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad earlier this summer.

A new report from talkSPORT (5 August) has stated that Crystal Palace, Fulham, West Ham and Juventus are interested in his services, and the Eagles need to ramp up their efforts to sign him following shock new comments from highly-rated boss Glasner.

Palace are currently in the midst of uncertain times as a club as they aim to have UEFA’s decision to demote them to the Conference League reversed, while Marc Guehi has been the subject of interest from Liverpool and Eberechi Eze is wanted by Arsenal and Tottenham.

Glasner’s Selhurst Park future is not something that has been believed to be at risk up to now, but the Austrian boss recently admitted prior to Sunday’s Community Shield that he has not held talks to extend his contract beyond the end of the season and suggested that he and Guehi have the “same fate” in terms of being set to leave when their deals expire next summer.

(Credit: Imago)

MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES

He also bemoaned the Eagles’ summer transfer business, which has so far only seen them sign Walter Benitez and Borna Sosa, saying: “We are quite passive.

We are short of numbers, we have to add players, especially with quality.”

With Glasner demanding more from his higher-ups, they should look no further than Sterling as, despite his struggles at Arsenal, he is still a quality player and a hugely experienced operator in European competitions.

(Credit: Imago)

The 30-year-old has undoubtedly lost his way recently, yet if Glasner, who has been able to get the best out of attackers like Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta, can have a fit and happy Sterling at his disposal, then he could just turn out to be one of the signings of the summer.

Former chief Keith Wyness recently told Football Insider that the only way Chelsea will be able to loan Sterling out is by subsidising some of his £300,000-a-week wages, with a £5m loan fee mooted, which would be affordable and realistic for the Eagles given their lack of recent business.

Once upon a time, Blues outcast Sterling was one of the best wingers in the Premier League and throughout world football, but he has been unable to find his best form since departing Man City for Stamford Bridge in 2022.

Chelsea have seen diminishing returns on their investment in his services after he failed to net double figures for league goals in his first two seasons in West London, but an overall return of 34 goals and assists in 62 starts is still not terrible, and can be looked upon as a positive.

AppearancesStartsGoalsAssists81621915Sterling’s Chelsea career stats

Sterling is not a four-time Premier League champion by chance, nor has he been handed 82 England caps as a token gesture, and having a player of his quality and nous would also be massively beneficial to other players in Palace’s squad that are still trying to learn their trade.

According to FBref, he was in the 84th percentile for progressive carries per game, 97th percentile for progressive passes received per game and 92nd percentile for take-ons attempted when compared to other Premier League wingers last term, and so he clearly still has what it takes to play at the top level, but just needs a welcoming arm round the shoulder, which Glasner could definitely provide.

Related Posts


For more news relating to Arsenal, visit our sister site AFC Latest Live.