Celtic handed boost as unlikely Chelsea transfer edges closer

Cameron Smith

20 Nov 2025 07:45 CST
3 min read

Celtic have been handed a boost in their bid to retain Sebastian Tounekti following news that Raheem Sterling has emerged as a target for Leeds United.

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Sterling, 30, returned to Chelsea this summer, following an unsuccessful loan spell at Arsenal, but despite being immediately placed in their ‘Bomb Squad’, he was unable to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge before Deadline Day.

Current ETV

Raheem Sterling

F (R), M (RL)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

F (R), M (RL)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€5.9M - €8M

Several clubs across world football were tipped as possible destinations for the former England winger, including teams in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, however he opted against leaving Chelsea, largely due to the fact his family are settled in London.

Sterling is still yet to be reintegrated into the first-team set-up at Chelsea’s Cobham training base and he is widely expected to leave the club in 2026 after being cast aside by Enzo Maresca.

According to SportsBoom, the 30-year-old is now wanted by Crystal Palace and Leeds, who are both eager to sign him during the upcoming January transfer window.

Sterling has just over 18 months remaining on his current contract at Chelsea, but it’s understood the west London giants are open to terminating his deal in order to get his hefty wages off their weekly bill.

© IMAGO - Raheem Sterling was on loan at Arsenal last season

Raheem Sterling to Leeds?

News of Leeds’ interest in Sterling will come as an indirect boost to Celtic in their bid to keep hold of summer signing Tounekti.

The 23-year-old arrived at Celtic Park from Hammarby for a fee of €6.4 million on Transfer Deadline Day and reports have already suggested that Leeds are eager to sign him in the winter transfer window.

However, Farke’s side are unlikely to have the budget to land both Sterling and Tounekti, suggesting that Celtic may be able to retain the Tunisia international until at least next summer if Leeds opt to finalise a deal with Chelsea.

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