The clock is ticking on Raheem Sterling’s Champions League ambitions.
Sterling is without a club after his contract with Chelsea ended, ending his turbulent time at Stamford Bridge.
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As a free agent, Sterling will have many options as to where he moves next, depending on the club’s formal offers.
The former Manchester City winger can join a club at any time.
However, there is a deadline if Sterling wants to join a club competing in Europe’s biggest club competition.
Under UEFA regulations, clubs competing in the knockout stages of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League have until midnight on Thursday to announce their full squad list.
Clubs in the three European club competitions are allowed to make a maximum of three changes to the squads they have submitted for the now completed league phase.
TalkSPORT considers where Sterling could go next. According to The Pitch Prospect, the 31-year-old is in talks with clubs in England and across Europe about a possible move.
It is also understood that Sterling will most likely join one of the top three clubs on the continent.
Sterling’s contract with Chelsea was terminated on January 28 when the west London club cut contact with one of its highest-earning players.
At the time of his departure, Sterling had not played for Chelsea since May 2024.
“Raheem Sterling left Chelsea Football Club by mutual consent today, completing three and a half seasons as our player, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he moved from Manchester City,” Chelsea said in a statement.
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“We thank Raheem for the contribution he has made as a Chelsea player and wish him all the best in the next phase of his career.”
Sterling issued a brief statement of his own on Instagram, writing, “All eyes on the future. God is great.”
The winger was linked with a move last summer as it became clear he was not part of former Blues boss Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Fulham, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen were all rewarded with interest, but a summer exit never materialized.
West Ham also inquired about Sterling in January but were quickly rebuffed.
Another team that was linked with a move for Sterling was Bundesliga side Union Berlin.
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Union managing director Horst Heldt said on Sky: “Sometimes you have to rub your eyes… In this case it didn’t seem to be really serious.”
“We didn’t pursue it any further.”
Despite Heldt’s claim, The Pitch Prospect understands that no one from Sterling’s Union camp had offered the winger.
Sterling’s last competitive appearance came on May 25, when he started for Arsenal in a 2-1 win over Southampton to round out the 2024/25 Premier League season.