Raheem Sterling reportedly took a wage cut to push through his loan switch from Chelsea to Arsenal on transfer deadline day. The winger was prepared to do all he could to make sure he ended his Stamford Bridge exile and complete a move which he has described as the “perfect fit”.
Arsenal confirmed the arrival of Sterling on loan in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Gunners worked hard throughout deadline day to secure an agreement with Chelsea after it became apparent that a deal could be struck.
Sterling, who had been banished from the first-team squad by new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, was extremely keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium. But it came a week after Mikel Arteta insisted he had not been tempted to pick up the phone to his former Manchester City colleague.
That stance changed as the final week of the window advanced. Arsenal eventually agreed a reportedly favourable deal that sees them pay less than 50 per cent of Sterling’s salary.
You can follow all the latest transfer news in our LIVE blog by clicking here.
Related articles
According to the Independent, Chelsea had asked for a loan fee earlier on Friday. It potentially placed the move at risk with little time for negotiations.
It was at this point that Sterling reportedly took a wage cut to ensure the deal was placed back on track. According to transfer expert Ben Jacobs, the 29-year-old was willing to reduce his eye-watering £325,000 per-week wage at Chelsea.
Wide-ranging reports suggest Arsenal are now paying no loan fee and less than 50 per cent of Sterling’s salary. It is a deal with few disadvantages for the north Londoners, and plenty of upsides if the former Liverpool star can replicate his pre-Chelsea form.
Sterling’s willingness to cut his salary helped the deal advance and he has now completed a move he describes as the “perfect fit”.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing. It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for,” Sterling told Arsenal’s official channels.
"Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.”
