Despite playing in preseason, Sterling, who moved from Manchester City to Chelsea in 2022, was not included in the Premier League match between the two teams last weekend.
Maresca initially claimed Sterling’s absence was for tactical reasons.
Maresca departed Championship winners Leicester City to take over as Chelsea’s new manager last month.
But the 44-year-old then publicly confirmed in a press conference that Sterling – along with fellow Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell – were training away from the first-team squad and said both should leave before the summer transfer window closes at the end of the month.
That has led Sterling’s representatives to approach several clubs to enquire about a possible move and Manchester United have been touted as a potential destination for the 29-year-old.
Despite bringing in more than ten new players this summer, Chelsea remain open to bolstering Maresca’s squad further before the transfer deadline and have expressed interest in signing United flop Jadon Sancho.
Sancho was left out of Manchester United’s Premier League defeat at Brighton over the weekend and is believed to be keen on leaving Old Trafford, as he did last season when he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan.
Selling Sterling to United could boost Chelsea’s chances of bringing Champions League finalist Sancho to Stamford Bridge and, according to the Daily Mail, Sterling has not ruled out a move to the Theatre of Dreams.
Sterling enjoyed a long and successful spell at United’s local rivals Manchester City but those ties have not put him off a possible move to Old Trafford.
The four-time Premier League winner has also been linked with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and even Arsenal, who have held interest in Sterling at various points over the last few years.
But the Daily Mail say Arsenal are not currently considering poaching Sterling from London rivals Chelsea, though that could change as we approach the transfer deadline later in the week.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, Mikel Arteta admitted he had strong feelings for Sterling, having worked with the player while he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City.
‘My time with Raheem was exceptional,’ Arteta said last week. ‘We built a really strong relationship together.
‘He was unbelievable at the time we were together. He taught me a lot as well, about individuals, how they, players think, how we support them.
‘He is someone I have really strong feelings about.’
Sterling, who played for Liverpool before Manchester City, has scored 19 goals in 81 appearances for Chelsea
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