Raheem Sterling could once again be on the radar of Bayern Munich after turning down a dramatic deadline-day move to the German champions in the summer. According to a report in The Sun, Bayern made a late push to sign the Chelsea winger, only for Sterling to reject the proposal due to concerns over the short-term nature of the deal.
Sterling, now 31, has found himself part of the so-called Chelsea “bomb squad” after returning from an unsuccessful loan at Arsenal. The winger has been deemed surplus to requirements under Enzo Maresca and has been training away from the first-team squad while the club attempts to resolve his future.
The Blues were prepared to let Sterling leave either on loan or via a permanent transfer, and Bayern — coached by former team-mate Vincent Kompany — were one of several clubs to enquire in the final hours of the window. The Telegraph claims Sterling was initially open to the move, but only if Bayern offered a contract of at least two years.
That stability was essential for the forward and his family, particularly after his challenging spell at Arsenal last season, when he made just 13 starts and struggled to rediscover form. Bayern, however, were only prepared to sanction a loan deal until the end of the campaign, prompting Sterling to reject the switch.
The winger was reluctant to uproot his life for another short-term move, especially after last season’s experience. His preference was for a longer contract that would offer both footballing continuity and personal stability. Without that guarantee, Sterling opted to remain at Chelsea, despite being frozen out.
Since then, he has focused on individual training and work with his youth academy, recently sharing footage on social media of finishing drills and technical sessions with young players. His professionalism has been noted internally, but his future at Stamford Bridge remains effectively closed.
Bayern’s interest, however, is not believed to have faded. Kompany is a long-standing admirer of Sterling, with the pair enjoying success together at Manchester City, and the coach is expected to reassess wide-forward options ahead of next season. Bayern’s squad is undergoing a gradual refresh, and Sterling’s experience, versatility and familiarity with Kompany’s ideas could make him a compelling addition if a permanent deal becomes feasible.
For Chelsea, the priority is offloading high-earning players who do not feature in Maresca’s plans. A permanent transfer for Sterling next summer is regarded as the ideal outcome, and the club will be open to discussions with Bayern or any other suitors prepared to negotiate a long-term contract.
Whether Sterling remains open to a move abroad will depend on the nature of offers received. While he rejected Bayern’s loan proposal in the summer, sources suggest he has not ruled out a switch to Germany entirely — provided the next club commits to him beyond a single season.
With his Stamford Bridge future firmly at an end and Bayern Munich evaluating attacking reinforcements, Sterling is set to become one of the more intriguing wide-forward options on the market as 2026 approaches.