Raheem Sterling offered to Aston Villa after exile from Chelsea squad as winger rules out Saudi Arabia transfer

The England international has been given permission to leave Chelsea's training ground as uncertainty around his future rumbles on, Nizaar Kinsella reports. Villa emerged as an option for the 29-year-old as he was offered to the Birmingham club, while Juventus have been credited with interest recently. However, it is claimed he is not currently open to joining a team in Saudi Arabia to boost his hopes of reviving his career with the Three Lions.

Sterling's Chelsea career appears to be over after new coach Enzo Maresca left him out of the squad for their opening Premier League game of the season against Manchester City and confirmed the winger is not in his plans. He is ready to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Along with full-back Ben Chilwell, Sterling has been encouraged to leave the London team by Maresca, who told reporters on Wednesday: "The situation with both of them is quite clear. We have a big squad and it's impossible to give all of them minutes. If they are looking for minutes it's better for them to leave. I try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the Manchester City game. I said he will struggle to get minutes with us and this was the reason why he was out."

Sterling has until August 30 to finalise a transfer in the current transfer window, or else the ex-City and Liverpool player will be stuck at Chelsea until January, at least. His contract with the club runs until the summer of 2027.