Chelsea willing to sell star after just one year at Stamford Bridge

Cesar Azpilicueta became the latest player to leave Chelsea this summer as he joined Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

The defender had spent more than a decade with the Blues, but his departure was confirmed on Thursday.

The veteran defender is the latest of several players to have departed Stamford Bridge this summer, with the likes of Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Kai Havertz having all left already.

Now, though, it appears that those in charge of the club could be willing to sell one of their key players.

According to Football Insider, the Blues are open to the idea of selling winger Raheem Sterling this summer.

Sterling, 28, joined Chelsea from Manchester City last summer but endured a frustrating first season in the capital.

The England international scored nine goals and provided four assists in 38 matches across all competitions, but was unable to prevent the Blues from recording their lowest league finish in three decades.

Sterling could reportedly be sold this summer

The report claims that Chelsea are very open to the idea of allowing Sterling to leave, as owner Todd Boehly and new manager Mauricio Pochettino look to balance the books and reduce the size of the current squad.

Sterling is reported to have attracted interest from several clubs across Europe and Saudi Arabia, as well as Premier League sides.

Previously, the winger had been prolific for City, scoring 131 goals in 339 matches for the Citizens.

Sterling’s current contract is set to expire in 2027, but does also include the option for a further 12 months.

The Blues signed both Noni Madueke and Mykhaylo Mudryk, and the report claims that the west London outfit are now prepared to sell Sterling in an effort to recoup and then reinvest his significant wages.

Last term Sterling – who cost Chelsea £47.5 million last summer – missed a number of weeks due to a hamstring injury.