Report: Mikel Arteta has spoken to £48m ‘superstar' last night and he really wants to join Arsenal

Although Arsenal have been fairly quiet in terms of incoming signings this summer, Mikel Arteta certainly doesn’t struggle to convince players to choose a move to the Emirates.

Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino both had plenty of suitors this summer, but chose to join Arteta at Arsenal, both believing in the Spaniard’s project.

As they were last summer, Arsenal have been methodical and sensible in their business, but they will need to make the most of deadline day.

Edu cancelled his flight to Monaco anticipating a lot of business, and it’s already looking as if that was the correct call.

Arsenal have now sold Aaron Ramsdale, and they will need to find a replacement before the deadline.

And as well as signing a new backup keeper, it also seems as if Arteta is hoping to add a touch more firepower to his front line.

Mikel Arteta and Raheem Sterling had Thursday phone call to discuss Arsenal move

Arsenal are now favourites to sign Raheem Sterling, who has suddenly become surplus to requirements at Chelsea.

The 29-year-old is thought to be at risk of being left out of Enzo Maresca’s squad, and according to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are looking to rescue the winger at the eleventh hour.

Raheem Sterling of Chelsea Jorginho and Kai Havertz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadiu...

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Arteta and Sterling held a phone conversation on Thursday evening to discuss the terms of the proposed transfer to Arsenal.

The Arsenal boss reached out to the winger personally, and no issues arose over Sterling’s wages during the conversation.

The ‘superstar’ winger, who joined Chelsea for £48m in 2022, is seemingly motivated to help Arsenal, and perhaps also prove a point on a personal level.

Eddie Nketiah may not be the last player to leave Arsenal on deadline day

As mentioned, Ramsdale has already left Arsenal on deadline day and Eddie Nketiah won’t be too far behind once he completes his move to Crystal Palace.

However, Arsenal’s departures won’t necessarily stop there.

Arsenal are also willing to let two more players go, both Omar Rekik and Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand could leave the club on loan before Friday’s deadline.

A busy day for Edu and his team, explaining why his trip abroad was cancelled at the last minute.

And after welcoming Nketiah, it seems as if Crystal Palace will sign a former Arsenal player who left the side a year ago, a bizarre turn of events.