Raheem Sterling 'holds clear-the-air talks' with Chelsea after squad exile
- Raheem Sterling dropped from Chelsea squad for Premier League opener
- Winger stripped of squad number & told to leave by manager Enzo Maresca
- Permanent transfer preferred by both club and player
By Tom Gott
Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has reportedly held "clear-the-air" talks with the club after being exiled from Enzo Maresca's squad.
A surprise omission from the matchday squad to face Manchester City in the Premier League opener, Sterling has since been stripped of his squad number as Chelsea seek to cut ties with the first signing made under the new ownership.
The Daily Mail state Sterling and his representatives have spoken with Chelsea officials about the current situation and all parties have agreed to collaborate in search of a buyer for Sterling before next week's transfer deadline.
Sterling has not attended Chelsea training since being dropped from the squad and has been given permission to stay away from their Cobham headquarters while his future is resolved.
He is believed to be training alone at his home in order to preserve his fitness ahead of a summer exit. Juventus have been tipped to launch a swap deal involving Federico Chiesa, although 90min understands the Serie A side are yet to speak with Sterling, who has also been mentioned internally at Aston Villa.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca has surprised both fans and rivals alike with his blunt assessments of both Sterling and Ben Chilwell, but the Italian has denied claims he has been "brutal" to the senior pair.
"I don't think [it is brutal]," he said. "I try to be honest. I can repeat again if it's not clear: I spoke with Raheem before the City game. I said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us and this is the reason why he is out of the squad.
"With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy, but he is going to struggle because of his position. He is going to struggle. If you define this as brutal, it's up to you to decide. For me, it's not brutal, it's just honest."
Reports suggest Sterling is reluctant to move to Saudi Arabia as he wants to force his way back into the England squad, with the 29-year-old instead preferring a switch to another Premier League club.
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