Paul Merson has recommended that Leeds United consider signing Raheem Sterling during the upcoming summer transfer window. Sterling, currently on loan at Arsenal from Chelsea, has faced challenges securing a consistent role under Mikel Arteta, averaging just 41 minutes per appearance despite injuries to other forwards. With Arsenal not indicating a desire for a permanent transfer, Sterling’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain. Merson believes a move to Leeds could rejuvenate the 30-year-old winger’s career as Leeds prepares for their next season in the Premier League.
Paul Merson said, “If I was Leeds United, I’d be looking at Raheem. 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. 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, they’ve pulled up trees. That would be one that would tick the box for me.”
In February, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called for more from Sterling after a slow start to the season. The Chelsea loanee had managed to score only once in 19 matches, finding the net against Bolton in the Carabao Cup’s third round.
Mikel Arteta said, “He has to have it because we really need him. Raheem is so experienced, and like many other players, we know that what you did yesterday is not whether it was really good or not. That could be relevant to the next game, to the next action. He’s fully focused, he’s trained really well this week, and he is ready to go again.” Arteta continued, “Hopefully not, because we try to give him as much as possible, but that’s a question for him. We are all behind him. We want the best for him and it is important that we need his best. We need players only with that mindset, to impact the team. He is doing everything that he possibly can to make it work.”
Despite Arteta’s encouragement, Sterling’s performance at Arsenal has not significantly improved, with only one goal to his name. Upon joining Arsenal at the last moment during the summer transfer window, Sterling expressed confidence in his abilities.
As quoted by the BBC, Sterling later added, “It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. It [the move] is one where we kind of left it late, but it’s one I was hoping for. Well now you can!”
Sterling’s potential move to Leeds could provide him with a fresh start and an opportunity to regain form in the Premier League.
**Tags:** Leeds-United-Club, Raheem-Sterling-Player, Arsenal-Club, Chelsea-Club, 2024-2025-Season
