The 2024 summer window slams shut at 11pm UK time on Friday, August 30 and Sterling’s future at Chelsea is massively up in the air as the deadline approaches.
Arsenal want a new winger before the window closes and they are considering a late swoop for Sterling, while Bayern Munich’s Kingsley Coman is another option.
Manchester United have also been strongly linked to Sterling – and there’s been talk of a possible swap deal which would see Jadon Sancho head to west London.
The north Londoners, though, are hoping to land Sterling’s signature and the player’s stance on a possible switch to Arsenal has now been revealed by The Independent, who report that the Englishman is ‘keen’ on joining the Gunners.
They claim that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a ‘strong relationship’ with Sterling, after the pair worked together at Manchester City earlier in their careers.
It is thought that Arteta ‘likes’ Sterling’s personality and believes the 29-year-old would have a positive influence in the dressing room, particularly on his younger players.
Raheem Sterling pictured playing for Chelsea in August 2024
Raheem Sterling joined Chelsea in a £47.5m deal in 2022 (Picture: Getty)
Sterling is also admired by Arsenal for his trophy record and understanding of the Gunners’ complex tactical approach, given it is very similar to City’s style of play.
The winger would have to take a significant pay cut to join Arsenal – with the Gunners unlikely to offer any more than £150,000-a-week.
Sterling currently earns £325,000-a-week at Chelsea but some reports claim that he would be willing to reduce his demands to complete a switch to Arsenal.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca sent a brutal message to Sterling earlier this week and openly admitted that the England international was not in his plans.
‘I said already many times, he is a fantastic person,’ Maresca said when quizzed about Sterling. ‘The only thing is that every manager has a different idea. He is not the type of winger I like. That says nothing about Raheem. The history and the numbers speak for Raheem.’
Arsenal may decide to move in for Sterling in the closing hours of the window – but only if he can strike an agreement for the money he is owed at Chelsea.
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