Arsenal trying to sign Chelsea outcast on transfer deadline day - Reports
Arsenal are reportedly trying to sign Chelsea star Raheem Sterling before the transfer window slams shut. The Gunners had looked to have completed their business for the summer but they are now eyeing a last-ditch move for the English winger.
The Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel reports that a last-minute swoop for Sterling hasn't been ruled out. The former Manchester City man is extremely interested in making the switch to the Emirates.
Sterling, 29, has been told he has no future under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea and has been left out of their opening games of the season. He has just over two years left on his contract and is one of the highest earners at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal had been expected to sign a new center-forward this summer, but none have arrived. Sterling isn't a striker but has the goalscoring acumen that Mikel Artea knows all about from their time together at City.
Sterling posted 131 goals and 73 assists in 339 games at the Etihad before joining Chelsea in July 2022. He's struggled to impress in west London, managing 19 goals and 12 assists in 81 games across competitions.
The four-time Premier League champion has lost his place in the England team during his Stamford Bridge spell. He's also fallen way down the pecking order at club level and Chelsea are looking to offload.
"A great opportunity" - Chelsea's Raheem Sterling hailed Mikel Arteta's appointment at Arsenal
Sterling spent three years playing at City while Arteta was assistant manager to Pep Guardiola. The English attacker was just getting started at the Etihad, and the duo won two Premier League titles together.
Arteta left his assistant role with the Cityzens to take up the Arsenal job in December 2019. The Spanish tactician has been a massive hit in north London, transforming his team into title challengers,
Sterling spoke highly of Arteta's Gunners reign and how he's been a success at the Emirates. He said a few years ago while at the Etihad (via All Football):
"I knew once he went into Arsenal that it would be a great opportunity for him but also he would definitely implement what he wanted to bring in. And he's a person that will put his foot down and not let things slide as you can see with the boys at Arsenal. They know if they don't run they are most likely not going to play."
He added:
"You can see the change that he's brought in there, you can see the energy, you can see how much he's put into them with their off-ball work."
Arteta has overseen 142 wins in 233 games in charge of the Gunners. He led them to the FA Cup in the first few months of his reign. He's come agonizingly close to ending Guardiola's stranglehold on the Premier League title in the past two years.