Tottenham Hotspur are one of number of clubs weighing up the availability of Raheem Sterling as a free agent, Daily Mail Sport can reveal.
The 31-year-old, who left Chelsea by mutual agreement on Wednesday, is ready to play for less than a third of the salary he was earning at Stamford Bridge and wants to get straight back into the game.
Sterling’s lack of match-fitness could ultimately put off Spurs, who have been left in need of forwards because of injuries to Richarlison and Dominic Solanke and the poor form of Randal Kolo Muani and Mathys Tel.
It could be at least a month before Sterling is match-ready, having not started a Premier League game since playing for Arsenal against Southampton, 250 days ago.
Among the other clubs considering an approach for Sterling are Napoli, who are also in need of strikers, and Juventus.
Napoli were interested in taking Sterling on loan last summer but the proportion of his £325,000-a-week wages that Chelsea were demanding they pay put the Italians off. Sterling will no longer be expecting a six-figure weekly salary.
Napoli would offer the opportunity for him to reunite with Kevin be Bruyne, who he was close to at Manchester City.
At least eight sides have already shown interest.
Sterling officially left Chelsea on Wednesday by mutual agreement, with his £325,000-per-week contract – which still had 18 months to run – ripped up to end his Stamford Bridge exile.
Having become a free agent, sources close to the 82-time capped England international believe it will open up the market on his behalf as an experienced player who has represented the biggest Premier League clubs and is still in his early thirties.
Sterling had not been willing to take his children out of school for another loan, but options are now open following his exit from Chelsea.
A move to Tottenham would be eye-catching, with Sterling having previously represented rivals Chelsea and Arsenal – after spent last season on loan with the Gunners.
William Gallas represents a rare example of a player having represented all three clubs. Noni Madueke came through Tottenham’s academy before spells at Chelsea and now Arsenal.
Tottenham are currently short on attacking options with Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, Mohammed Kudus and Richarlison among those currently on the sidelines.
