Leeds United could now reportedly strike a shock move for out-of-favour Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling. The 30-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and he spent the 2024/2025 season on loan at Arsenal.
While Sterling scored just once in 28 matches for the Gunners, the England international only started 12 of those and was behind Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and even Ethan Nwaneri out wide.
Despite a difficult couple of years with Chelsea, and then Arsenal, Sterling still has the potential to make a positive impact in the Premier League. And according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, the ex-Liverpool and Manchester City man could fit right in at Leeds - should Daniel Farke's side make a move this summer.
He told Football Insider's Inside Track podcast: "I think that it's going to be a big problem to move him [Sterling] on. I think you're really going to be restricted, in my opinion, to the three clubs coming up - Leeds, Burnley, Sunderland. I think that's where he might find a space.
"But, again, the wages are going to have to be really heavily subsidised to get him any move at all. I think it's going to come to the point that that will be the case.
"It's going to be a difficult move and I don't know how long he's got left on his contract, yet, but still it's going have to be Chelsea subsidising those heavily to get him out there.
"Chelsea will need any contribution towards his wages they can get, and they may as well take it, because he's not going to be contributing to Maresca in that squad.
"I don't think he's worth having on the bench as far as Maresca is concerned."
Wyness isn't the first person to tip Sterling to sign for Leeds this summer. Back in April, Arsenal great Paul Merson urged Daniel Farke's side to take a punt on the attacker following promotion to the Premier League.
"If I was Leeds United, then I'd be looking at Raheem," Merson told Sky Sports. "They're a young team. They like to play attacking football. He's very good in the dressing room and a good team player. He's got all the experience in the world, he's won Premier Leagues."
Merson went on: "For me, that wouldn't be a bad move for Leeds, or for Sterling. He'd be going to a massive, huge club and the expectations are not as high. If they finish 17th in the Premier League next year, then they've pulled up trees. That would be one that would tick the box - for me."
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