Chelsea Flop Linked With New Lease of Life in Surprise Serie A Switch

Recently-Departed Chelsea FLOP Linked with Mega Serie A Switch

Recently-released Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has been linked with a surprise switch to Serie A champions Napoli, according to various reports.

The 31-year-old walked away from the remainder of his £325k-a-week salary at Stamford Bridge just a few days ago, providing him with the freedom to join any club he pleases as a free agent.

🚨🗣️ Free agent Raheem Sterling: "All eyes on the future. God is great." 🙏 pic.twitter.com/7NAbN3egOV

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 28, 2026

A few clubs have come circling around the England and Manchester City legend, including boyhood side QPR in the EFL Championship and fellow West London side Fulham, but it is Napoli who have registered an interest at this early stage, though the likelihood of striking a deal has already been spoken down by sources close to the club.

Napoli's Career Revival Factory

It seems that if you are a struggling-to-mediocre Premier League footballer looking for a new lease of life as a player, you simply must consider a move to the Serie A or, more specifically, under Antonio Conte's Napoli side.

Scott McTominay is the key example with his incredible performances last season, whereas the likes of Zambo-Franck Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Romelu Lukaku have enjoyed big upturns in form since making their way to Naples.

Goodbye and good riddance Raheem Sterling. pic.twitter.com/VLkimV7YQa

— Chelsea Fan Accountability (@CFCAccountable) January 28, 2026

After Sterling mutually walked away from his mega-money Chelsea contract, Napoli were immediately one of the first clubs to be linked with the 31-year-old's services. However, despite these links, it is believed that Sterling is unwilling to move away from London for the sake of his family, and a spokesperson from Napoli has put some distance between themselves and the deal.

"Raheem is very good, but he hasn't been playing for a long time," Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna told Sky Italia on Wednesday.

"We spoke with him during the summer but I see it as difficult right now, he has significant financial expectations."