Raheem Sterling: Man United emerges as shock candidate for Chelsea’s snub – Man United news & transfer news | The People’s Person

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Manchester United have emerged as a shock candidate to sign Raheem Sterling on a free transfer this summer, according to an explosive new report.

Free agent

Sterling has just joined Eredivisie side Feyenoord, currently managed by Robin van Persie, on a short-term contract until the end of the season after leaving Chelsea by mutual agreement.

The troublesome winger moved from Manchester City to Stamford Bridge in 2022 for £47.5 million, agreeing a five-year contract worth £325,000 per week.

However, the move proved unwise for both parties given the success Sterling had enjoyed at the Etihad, where he won four Premier League titles, five League Cups, an FA Cup and two Community Shields, becoming the Citizens’ third highest scorer in the modern era.

Sterling lost his place in the England squad, scoring just 19 goals in 81 appearances at Stamford Bridge as he struggled to adapt to the demands of the main forward position having previously played a more supporting role for City and Liverpool.

Under Chelsea’s ruthless new owner, the 31-year-old was named as part of a ‘bomb squad’ last summer with the aim of forcing him – and his exorbitant pay package – out of the club. He has not played a single minute this season due to ties from a breakaway to Crystal Palace.

But in a surprise twist, the Kingston native terminated his contract with the Blues after agreeing a settlement package in West London, allowing him to join Feyenoord last week. Van Persie is said to have played a key role in convincing Sterling to make the switch to the Netherlands.

“As a free agent, for the first time in a long time, I have had the opportunity to determine the next step,” Sterling revealed when officially announcing the move.

“I wanted to take the time to speak to clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure I can add real value in this next chapter. Having spoken to Robin in detail, I am confident that Feyenoord is a place where I can be happy and establish myself as a valued member of the team.”

“Playing abroad is a whole new challenge for me, and one I’m eager to embrace. To be honest, I’m just excited to get started,” he concluded.

However, Sports tree reveals the Englishman has one eye on a return to the Premier League, with United said to be a top contender this summer.

A fresh start or an audition for a return?

The prospect of returning to form in Rotterdam with regular first-team minutes is “aimed at reviving both his club career and his international hopes”, the report said. “This Dutch detour is not a farewell. It is an audition for an encore from the Premier League.”

United have been mentioned as a candidate alongside Champions League rivals Aston Villa, while Leeds United and Palace have been given previous attempts to rescue the winger from Stamford Bridge.

Under Unai Emery, Villa have become something of a safe haven for underperforming England forwards such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham, making them a natural target for Sterling.

But the Red Devils are a much more unusual choice, given his past associations with their bitter rivals and INEOS’ aversion to signing older players looking for one last big contract.

Sterling’s performance level has dropped significantly in recent years after playing an excessive amount of football at a young age. Despite the fact that he is ‘only’ 31, the kilometers on his odometer are much greater than those of the average 31-year-old footballer.

Furthermore, the report states that “possible fees of £10-15 million are being discussed”, which could indicate a big-money contract for a free agent with a sign-on bonus – another major red flag for United’s hierarchy, and one that means this would be a shock transfer in every sense.

In short, while an experienced and versatile striker would be a smart signing on a free transfer this summer, the expensive wages and physical decline mean United should look elsewhere than Sterling. And conversely, he should consider a league other than England for the final stages of his career.

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