Mikel Arteta insists he has not considered persuading Raheem Sterling to join Arsenal despite his Chelsea exile. The Gunners head coach previously worked with the England international at Manchester City.
Sterling excelled under the coaching of Pep Guardiola and Arteta, who was then the City boss' assistant. But the 29-year-old, who joined Chelsea for £50million in 2022, now finds himself axed from Enzo Maresca's first-team squad at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have informed Sterling that he can leave before the August 30 deadline, brutally stripping him of his squad number and making him train alone. It is understood that the former Liverpool winger is now keeping himself fit away from the club's Cobham training complex.
Arsenal have been suggested as a possible destination for Sterling. Arteta could benefit from an extra forward and Sterling's experience could be an added bonus in a young squad.
Related articles
But asked if he has considered contacting Sterling, the Spaniard responded: “No, but I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional, we built a really strong relationship together.
“He was unbelievable at the time we were together and he taught me a lot as well. About individuals, how they play and how we give them support and help them. He’s someone I have a really strong feeling about.”
Sterling's reported £300,000 per-week wage is likely to be an obstacle to an exit from Chelsea. In addition to that figure, he has three years remaining on the five-year deal he signed in 2022. It is likely that the Blues may need to pay off at least some of the near-£45m still owed on Sterling's contract.
There is interest from Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Sterling is reported to have ruled out a move to Saudi Arabia, where clubs might be able to match his current salary and save Chelsea a substantial compensation package.
Arsenal is unlikely to be an option for Sterling, though. Arteta is closing in on his fourth addition of the summer with Mikel Merino understood to be travelling to London to complete a medical. A drawn-out saga is nearing an end after Arsenal agreed a £40m deal with Real Sociedad.
Merino would follow Riccardo Calafiori and young goalkeeper Tommy Setford in becoming new Arsenal players ahead of the transfer deadline. The north Londoners have also made David Raya's loan from Brentford permanent.
