HERE WE GO: Raheem Sterling is close to complete his contract with Aston Villa but going to wait for shirt numbers – and must wait for £11m star to leave

Aston Villa are one of several clubs who have taken an interest in relieving Chelsea of Raheem Sterling – but they can’t offer him any of his ­previous shirt numbers

 

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ByDan BurnhamSenior Sports Reporter

15:04, 23 AUG 2024

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Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on January 13, 2024

Raheem Sterling must sacrifice the No. 7 to join Aston Villa (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

 

Raheem Sterling will have to opt for a back-up shirt number if a transfer to Aston Villa materialises – but he may even have to wait for that.

 

Talks have been held between Villa and Chelsea over the 29-year-old, who’s been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. He has three years left on his contract there, which reportedly pockets him £325k a week.

 

That’s one of the obstacles that needs to be overcome if a deal is to be struck before next week’s transfer deadline day. But having sold Moussa Diaby and missed out on Chelsea’s latest signing Joao Felix, Villa are in the market for a new attacker.

 

READ MORE: Raheem Sterling rules out Chelsea transfer in Aston Villa twist

 

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta responds to Raheem Sterling Arsenal transfer question amid Aston Villa talks

 

They won’t, however, be able to offer Sterling any of his favoured shirt numbers. The winger has primarily worn seven on the back of his shirt, first at senior level after his £49million move to Manchester City in 2015.

 

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He’d previously donned the No. 31 after breaking through at Liverpool, having mostly been No. 11 in their reserves. Those three numbers are currently occupied at Villa by key first-team stars John McGinn, Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.

 

When he joined Chelsea in a £47.5m move from City, Sterling found himself in a similar scenario. He opted for the closest available thing to seven, the No. 17, for his first year in west London. After N’Golo Kante’s exit, he then claimed it for last season.

 

But he can’t even do that at Villa, at least not currently, with Samuel Iling-Junior occupying the No. 17. He took it after arriving from Juventus for €14m (£11.8m), plus the potential of €3m (£2.5m) in add-ons, in July.

 

Having been left out of Unai Emery’s squad for the 2-1 win away at West Ham on the opening weekend of the season, Iling-Junior is exploring potential loan moves, according to The Athletic. His exit isn’t a guarantee, with the report making it clear he’ll only depart if the right move becomes available.

 

It would give Sterling his alternative option, or it could even be stripped off Iling-Junior otherwise. The former England international’s situation is an evolving one, with the latest update being he has no interest in heading to the Saudi Pro League like Diaby.

 

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Where would Raheem Sterling fit in Villa’s squad? Let us know your thoughts HERE

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