Manchester United have emerged as a shock contender to sign Raheem Sterling this summer on a free transfer, 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 tricky winger moved to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City in 2022 for £47.5 million, agreeing a five-year deal worth an eye-watering £325,000 a week. The switch proved unwise for both parties, however, given the success Sterling had enjoyed at the Etihad, where he win four Premier League titles, five League Cups, an FA Cup and two Community Shields, and became the Citizens’ third highest scorer in the modern era. Sterling lost his place in the England squad and returned just 19 goals in 81 appearances at Stamford Bridge as he struggled to adapt to the demands of being the main attacker, having played a more supportive role for City and Liverpool previously. Under Chelsea’s ruthless new ownership, the 31-year-old was designated as part of a ‘bomb squad’ last summer with the intention of forcing him – and his exorbitant wage packet – out of the club. He has not played a single minute this season amid links of an escape 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, enabling him to join Feyenoord last week. Van Persie is understood to have been key in convincing Sterling to make the switch to the Netherlands. “As a free agent, I’ve had, for the first time in a long time, the opportunity to control the next step,” Sterling revealed at the official announcement of the move. “I wanted to take my time to speak with clubs and their head coaches to better understand the role they envisioned for me and ensure that I can add real value in this next chapter. Having spoken in great detail with Robin, I’m confident that Feyenoord is a place 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 ready to embrace. Honestly, I’m just excited to get started,” he concluded. However, Sports Boom reveals the Englishman has one eye on a return to the Premier League, with United said to be a shock contender this summer. A Fresh Start or an Audition for a Return? The prospect of regaining form in Rotterdam through regular first-team minutes is “designed to reignite both his club career and international hopes,” the report details. “This Dutch detour isn’t a farewell. It’s an audition for a Premier League encore.” United are mentioned as a suitor alongside Champions League rival Aston Villa, while Leeds United and Palace are credited with previous attempts to rescue the winger from Stamford Bridge. Under Unai Emery, Villa have become something of a safe refuge for underperforming English forwards, such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham, which makes them a natural target for Sterling. But the Red Devils are a much more peculiar choice, given his past associations with their bitter rivals and INEOS’s aversion to signing ageing players chasing one last big contract. Sterling’s performance levels have declined significantly in recent years, having played an inordinate amount of football at a young age. Despite ‘only’ being 31, the miles on his clock are far greater than the average 31-year-old footballer. Furthermore, the report mentions “potential fees of £10–15 million being discussed,” which would suggest a big-money contract for a free agent with a signing-on bonus – another major red flag for United’s hierarchy, and one which means this would be a shocking transfer in all the worst ways. In short, while an experienced and versatile forward would be an astute addition on a free transfer this summer, expensive wages and a physical decline mean United should look elsewhere than Sterling – and, conversely, he should consider a league other than England for the final stage of his career. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.
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