Raheem Sterling has returned to Chelsea following his loan spell with Arsenal and the England international has emerged as a surprise target for Erik ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen
Erik ten Hag is keen to finally link up with Raheem Sterling after failing to sign him at Manchester United. Ten Hag's Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly one of several clubs monitoring Sterling's future after the England international was told that he could leave Chelsea.
Sterling, whose last appearance for his country came at the 2022 World Cup, spent last season on loan at Arsenal. But the winger, 30, struggled for regular game-time, making just five starts in the Premier League.
Having returned to Chelsea at the end of the 2024-25 season, Sterling is still not in Enzo Maresca's plans after being dramatically frozen out at the beginning of last term. That's when links of a shock move to United emerged.
Despite playing for both Liverpool and Manchester City, it was claimed that the Red Devils were in talks with Chelsea, as Ten Hag was interested in Sterling. It was part of negotiations for Jadon Sancho to head the other way during the closing stages of the summer transfer window.
Sancho did end up going to Stamford Bridge whereas Sterling ultimately joined Arsenal, who pulled off a final-day swoop. Eleven months later, however, Ten Hag appears to be back in for the ex-Liverpool and City star.
BBC Sport report that Leverkusen, who appointed Ten Hag as their new manager in May, are keeping an eye on Sterling with a view to a potential transfer. It's added that a number of clubs on the continent are interested in the 30-year-old.
Sterling still has two years left on his contract with Chelsea, who paid City £47.5m for his services in 2022. Leverkusen have cultivated English talent before, particularly wide players.
Nottingham Forest forward Callum Hudson-Odoi had a season-long loan with the German giants while former Southampton ace Nathan Tella has played for Leverkusen since 2023. Ten Hag is looking to bolster his squad after losing star man Florian Wirtz to Liverpool as well as Jeremie Frimpong.
Should Raheem Sterling join Bayer Leverkusen? Have your say in the comments section.
Granit Xhaka is also pushing for a move to Sunderland while defender Jonathan Tah signed for Bayern Munich before Ten Hag had started his role. So far, Leverkusen's signings include PSV Eindhoven star Malik Tillman, Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken and Hertha Berlin playmaker Ibrahim Maza.
Their pre-season campaign got underway in humiliating fashion with a 5-1 defeat against Brazilian side Flamengo's UNDER-20 side. Coincidentally, Leverkusen will play Chelsea in a friendly at Stamford Bridge on Friday, August 8.