Raheem Sterling struggled at Arsenal. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Arsenal great Paul Merson has urged newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United to “have a look” at signing Arsenal forward Raheem Sterling this summer. Sterling is on loan to Arsenal from Chelsea, with his future at both clubs seemingly doubtful.
“If I was a Leeds United, I’d be looking at Raheem (Sterling) – experienced player, they’re a young team, Leeds,” Merson told Sky Sports.
“They like to play attacking football, he’s very good in the dressing room, good team player. He’s got all the experience in the world, won Premier Leagues.”
“For me that wouldn’t be a bad move for Leeds and for Sterling, again going to a massive huge club.”
Ups and Downs
A four time Premier League winner, Sterling has had quite the storied career in English football already. After breaking through at Liverpool as a youngster in 2012, he played three seasons in the first team, making 95 Premier League appearances and scoring 18 goals. In 2015 he joined Pep Guardiola’s rampant Man City side, going on to win Premier League titles in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. He enjoyed his most prolific season under Guardiola in 19/20, when he struck 20 league goals in 33 appearances.
He joined Chelsea in the summer of 2022, where he didn’t quite hit the heights of his previous campaigns. The winger scored six goals in 28 appearances in his first season with the club, and eight goals in 31 appearances the next. Sterling joined Arsenal on loan last summer after falling out of Enzo Maresca’s pecking order.
He has had to settle for a bit part role for Arsenal, mostly featuring in rotated sides and only managing five league starts.
In search of a good fit
Arsenal are not expecting to make his move permanent, while his time at Chelsea seems be nearing an end as well. Having only turned 30 last December, Sterling may feel his time at the top level is not over and may have his choice of suitors this summer. He is expected to be open to a pay cut and may favour a move to a club competing in the Champions League or Europa League.
Above all though, the player will want to play regular football, and Merson added that Sterling could well benefit from joining a club with less pressure.
“And the expectations are not as high,” Merson added. “If they finish 17th in the league next year, Leeds they’ve pulled up trees.”
“That would be one that would tick the box for me.”
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