West Ham have once again been linked with a move for Raheem Sterling.
Sterling, of course, is now a free agent after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent earlier this week.
The 31-year-old is at a crucial juncture in his career.
If someone told you they wanted to sign Raheem Sterling on a free, what would you say back? 🤔
Explain why in the comments 👇(I’m going for yes)
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Experience ✅
But there are some cons….
Credit: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse
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While a highly decorated player and one of the Premier League’s leading stars only a few years ago, Sterling struggled at Chelsea and looked way off the pace when loaned to Arsenal last season.
As such, any club looking to sign him would be taking something of a risk.
Though West Ham fans do want to sign Sterling, there has now been a fresh update on their interest.
Raheem Sterling may not think that West Ham are a stable club
On Friday, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook revealed some interesting news.
According to his information, West Ham haven’t given up in their pursuit of the player.
In fact, Crook revealed that the Hammers have “tried again” in an attempt to sign him.
However, at this stage of his career, Sterling wants stability – and there’s a feeling that he doesn’t think West Ham can offer him that.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, despite a recent upturn, do face the very real prospect of dropping into the Championship next season.
Who would West Ham have to sign now for it to be as big of a shock as when we signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano? 😂
Please let us know how you felt about it at the time too! 👇
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“Napoli are one of the teams who have been mentioned to me, Bayer Leverkusen [too],” said Crook on talkSPORT on 30/01/2026.
“I know Vincent Kompany, in the summer, was keen to take him to Bayern Munich – you wonder if that might be an option as well.
“I think West Ham have tried again, but ‘stability’ is the word that keeps coming back when it comes to Raheem Sterling and I’m not sure that he feels that West Ham are a particularly stable club at this moment in time.”
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesWhy West Ham do not need Raheem Sterling
There’s certainly some logic in signing Sterling on a free transfer, as long as the wages are palatable.
He’d offer experience and could help provide support to the likes of Jarrod Bowen, who is still expected to score the vast majority of West Ham’s goals.
However, to suggest that West Ham necessarily need Sterling would perhaps be unwise.
With Bowen and Crysencio Summerville in fine form this season, there’s no guarantee he’d start right away.
Sterling may not think West Ham are the right club for him, and he may not currently be the right player for them.
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