Perfect Raheem Sterling opportunity presents itself to Aston Villa as announcement made
Aston Villa are actively scouring the transfer market as the 2 February deadline moves closer.
Unai Emery was granted a huge boost to his forward line this week, with Tammy Abraham’s Aston Villa return completed on Tuesday.
Douglas Luiz also look set to return to Villa Park this winter, with the Juventus midfielder ready to reinforce Emery’s midfield options following the significant injury sustained to Youri Tielemans.
Union Berlin defender Danilo Doekhi is also on Aston Villa’s radar, and so a busy final few days of the winter window appear to be in store in the West Midlands.
Why Aston Villa should consider Raheem Sterling swoop
With the deadline moving ever closer into view, teams up and down the Premier League are getting a clearer picture on what their respective squads are going to look like for the rest of the way.
As a result, managers and decision-makers have a good idea at this stage of which players aren’t part of the plans, and as such, can be allowed to leave before the window shuts.
Raheem Sterling is one of those players, as it’s been confirmed on Wednesday that the experienced forward has left Chelsea by mutual consent.
Now 31, the 82-cap England international hits the free agent market ready to bring his experience and quality to a new team, and Aston Villa should be one of those mulling over a move for him.
Aston Villa were strongly linked with signing Sterling in the summer of 2024, before he eventually joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal.
Therefore, there is evidently some historic interest in bringing him to Villa Park, and for a player who should still have a couple of good years left in his boots, it shouldn’t be a surprise if Villa come back to the table.
Sterling could be ideal Donyell Malen replacement
Villa have seen their attacking ranks take a hit this winter, with Donyell Malen signing for Roma on loan with an option for the Italian giants to sign him permanently.
One of the reasons why Malen was keen to leave Villa Park was to get more opportunities as a number nine, having routinely been deployed out wide under Emery.
Sterling is a winger by trade, and so he certainly wouldn’t have any issues with playing out wide, and on a free transfer, could be a highly shrewd, cost-effective replacement for Malen.
Especially at this stage of the window, as Aston Villa could do far worse than signing a player like Sterling on a short-term deal to help provide a bridge towards a more longer-term Malen replacement.
Stay ahead of the action — subscribe to Villa News on Substack for more exclusive insights and match-day analysis.