Raheem Sterling is in advanced negotiations over a season-long loan move to Arsenal from Chelsea, where he is set to link up with Mikel Arteta once again after their time together at Manchester City.
Sterling had been informed by Blues boss Enzo Maresca that he was surplus to requirements and should find a new club before Friday’s deadline, with time running out until Arsenal pounced.
Short on numbers in forward positions following the summer exit of Emile Smith Rowe and expected departures of Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, Sterling was identified as an option who could bring quality across the entire frontline - with valuable experience in a Premier League title charge.
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It is a deal that appears to make sense for all parties involved, but Sterling will be handed with an immediate decision to make even before he steps on the Emirates pitch, although he won’t be involved in Saturday’s clash with Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
At both Chelsea and City, Sterling wore No. 17 on the back of his shirt, a number that clearly means a lot to the England man. However, it has already been taken by his compatriot Bukayo Saka.
The 29-year-old was handed a similar scenario at Chelsea upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, forcing him to take up the No. 17 jersey. But Oleksandr Zinchenko is in possession of that digit, forcing Sterling to look elsewhere.
Should Sterling look for a throwback number, he wore No. 31 at Liverpool before switching to City and that number has been vacated by goalkeeper Karl Hein. The Estonian joined Real Valladolid on loan for the season.
Sterling may be hoping for a fresh start with a new shirt number that brings better memories than his final ones with No. 7 at Chelsea. After being banished by Maresca his number was stripped away and handed to summer signing Pedro Neto, with Sterling still at the club.
"The only thing I can say is the ones who are going to get minutes are the ones who I think can help us," Maresca said as he urged his unwanted players to leave the club. "It’s not just Raheem. It’s all the players who are training apart. The moment the transfer window closes, they are not going to get minutes."
Sterling will be keen to put his last few Chelsea months behind him and focus on anew at Arsenal, regardless of which number he dons in north London.
There is scope for him to make the left-wing spot his own with Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli sharing minutes in that role since the former arrived 18 months ago, Sterling will be desperate to prove Maresca and his Chelsea doubters wrong.
