Arsenal are reportedly considering a deadline day move for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling after being offered the chance to sign the winger, according to various sources.
The situation developed late in the transfer window, with the Gunners yet to make a concrete decision on the potential acquisition.
Sami Mokbel of the *Daily Mail* reported on Thursday night that Arsenal had recently been given an opportunity to sign Sterling. While Arsenal has not yet taken any action on the offer, the possibility remains open if an agreement can be reached between Chelsea and Sterling regarding the financial terms of his departure.
James Olley from ESPN also confirmed that Arsenal had been approached by Sterling’s camp, suggesting the winger is keen on a permanent move to another Premier League club. Sterling is reportedly eager to find a new club where he can secure more regular playing time, and Arsenal appear to be open to strengthening their attacking options.
Miguel Delaney of the *Independent* has highlighted that Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, shares a strong rapport with Sterling, dating back to their time together at Manchester City when Arteta served as an assistant coach under Pep Guardiola. Arteta believes Sterling could have a positive influence on the Arsenal squad.
However, Delaney notes that Arsenal is reluctant to pay a transfer fee for the England international, meaning any potential move would depend heavily on Sterling agreeing to terminate his current contract with Chelsea first.
Jacob Steinberg and Ed Aarons of the *Guardian* further confirm that Arsenal is at least considering the offer from Sterling’s camp. However, they emphasize that the deal would be difficult to finalize, given the financial complexities and the limited time left in the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Manchester United are also reportedly interested in Sterling, having already held discussions with Chelsea about a potential swap deal involving Jadon Sancho. Regardless of whether Arsenal decide to pursue Sterling, Sancho may still end up at Chelsea.
During the 2023/24 season, Sterling made 43 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists across various competitions. His versatility across multiple attacking positions makes him a valuable option for any squad, including Arsenal’s.
As a player who can operate on either wing or as a central forward, Sterling’s ability to adapt to different roles could provide significant depth and flexibility to Arsenal’s attacking lineup.
However, the timing of any move for Sterling is critical. The transfer window is rapidly approaching its close, and any deal would need to be finalized swiftly.
Given that the deadline is fast approaching, and that Sterling has yet to reach an agreement with Chelsea over the terms of his departure, it appears unlikely that he will be involved in Arsenal’s upcoming match against Brighton on Saturday, unless negotiations progress at a rapid pace and are completed before midday on Friday.
Ultimately, Arsenal’s interest in Sterling reflects their broader strategy of adding quality depth to their squad while maintaining financial prudence.
The Gunners’ willingness to explore such a move indicates their ambition to compete at the highest level in the Premier League, but it also highlights the delicate balance between making strategic acquisitions and managing the club’s finances responsibly.
With Manchester United also in the mix, the situation remains fluid, and the final hours of the transfer window could bring more twists and turns in this developing story.
