Raheem Sterling offered career lifeline as Chelsea transfer raid planned for £77m duo

Fulham are lining up a shock move to signRaheem Sterling from Chelsea, it has been claimed. The 30-year-old is expected to leave the Blues on a permanent deal this summer, after spending last season on loan at Arsenal.

Sterling, however, struggled for form and game time during his time at the Emirates Stadium. In fact, the England international scored just ONE goal and provided five assists in 29 appearances for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta's side have decided against making another move for Sterling and he is set to depart Chelsea once again, with Fulham emerging as a surprise destination for the former Manchester City man.

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According toThe Telegraph, Fulham have named Sterling as a summer target, though Marco Silva's men are going to wait until later in the window to make a move for the Chelsea forward.

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson is another player right at the top of Fulham's shortlist. The 25-year-old spent the start of last season on loan at the Whites before suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in December.

Alongside Nelson, Silva is looking at alternative wide players, and Sterling is one that has been discussed at Craven Cottage, having amassed a serious amount of experience and calibre during his career so far.

While Sterling has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus, Fulham hold the attraction of Premier League football and without the need for him to move countries or even cities.

Sterling is among the list of players that Chelsea are going to look to offload before the window closes. Trevoh Chalobah and Ben Chilwell can both leave for the right fee, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been the subject of transfer interest, having struggled for regular game time in his first season.

Indeed, Fulham are one of those that want to sign the 26-year-old midfielder. According to Sky Sports, the Whites are interested in a move for the former Leicester City man and have explored the conditions of a loan and permanent move. A formal approach will follow if they believe a deal can be done.

Dewsbury-Hall, who has four years left on his contract, made 36 appearances during his first season at the Blues, helping them win the Conference League and the Club World Cup. He came off the bench for the final 13 minutes in the 3-0 win against Paris Saint-Germain in the United States earlier this month.