West Ham and Crystal Palace linked with 123-goal Premier League hero

West Ham and Crystal Palace are weighing up a curveball move for Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling as Enzo Maresca looks to hold a clearout this summer.

The Blues are one of the six Premier League clubs facing an 'unofficial Deadline Day' at the end of June in order to balance the books and meet top flight regulations for the end of the financial year. That, combined with a new era under the former Leicester City manager, means it's all eyes on outgoings at Stamford Bridge.

While the likes of Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja continue to be the focus of attention, a new report from TBR Football claims that Premier League veteran Sterling could also be on his way out of the club. The forward played 43 times for the side last season, bagging 10 goals and eight assists, but is not believed to be part of the club's long-term plans.

Sterling is 29 years old and missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate's England set-up for the Euros this summer. The former Liverpool and Manchester City man has a total of 379 Premier League appearances and 123 top flight goals to his name.

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The winger still has another three years on his Chelsea contract but a willingness to sell the player could play into the hands of West Ham and Crystal Palace. The Hammers have been linked with a number of wide players this summer while the Eagles could lose star wide men Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to suitors before the end of the window.

Sterling is believed to be one of Chelsea's highest paid players, taking up a sizeable spot on the wage books, and has rejected approaches from the Saudi Pro-League, the MLS and Turkey in recent months. The report suggests that Sterling does not want to quit Chelsea and would be reluctant to leave European football - making a switch to the London Stadium or Selhurst Park perhaps more tempting than those overseas offers.