Raheem Sterling wants contract issue resolved before targeting Chelsea exit | Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling is set to resolve his contractual situation at Chelsea before turning his attention to finding a new club this week. Sterling’s £325,000-a-week deal, which expires in three years, has been described as a barrier to his move following his exclusion from the first-team.

The winger is said to be open to a move to Manchester United – there have been suggestions he could be included in a swap deal for Jadon Sancho – but nothing has progressed yet.

Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Sancho’s situation for some time now and have not ruled out interfering with Juventus’ bid to sign him on loan. That is despite Enzo Maresca having a wealth of options on the wing – a situation which has led the Italian to drop Sterling from his plans. Chelsea have plenty of variety in attack after signing Pedro Neto and João Félix in the summer.

Sterling, who has attracted interest from Juventus, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, has been linked with a number of clubs since being shut out last week. But the 29-year-old needs to hold more talks with Chelsea over his contract. Sterling is the highest earner in the squad and his salary means his sale is not straightforward. There is the pressing question of whether Chelsea would owe him money if he were to take a pay cut at his next club. United’s bigger priority is understood to be completing the sale of Scott McTominay to Napoli.

Chelsea are likely to be busy this week as Maresca is keen to sign a striker and a defender. The main target in attack is Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, who is believed to favour a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over the sale of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku and their preference is to loan Osimhen out. That does not appeal to the Nigerian, who is unwilling to lower his eye-watering wage demands. Napoli have lowered their asking price for Osimhen but have remained cool about Al-Ahli’s interest.

Alternative options in attack for Chelsea include Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán, and they have been monitoring Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewis. Everton could look to bring in Armando Broja if the Chelsea forward who is on loan at Ipswich cannot be revived.

Maresca has six senior centre-backs, but Trevoh Chalobah is out of favour and offers for Axel Disasi and Benoît Badiashile are not automatically rejected. The head coach wants to bring in a defender who fits his passing game. There is no solid interest in Chalobah yet.

Chelsea are looking to move a number of players. Bournemouth have held talks over loaning goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. Ben Chilwell, the England left-back, has no future at the club and could be offered Sancho, who reportedly earns £300,000-a-week, in any transfer. Carney Chukwuemeka could leave and there are doubts over Ângelo Gabriel, Deivid Washington, David Datro Fofana and Cesare Casadei. Tino Anjorin is on the verge of joining Empoli.