Arsenal have been linked with a move for England international Raheem Sterling, who is free to leave Stamford Bridge this summer after recent admissions from Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca
Arsenal are not exploring a move for Raheem Sterling streamsports24 understands.
The England international is free to leave Stamford Bridge after being left out of the matchday squad in both of Chelsea’s opening two matches of the season against Chelsea and Servette. He and Ben Chilwell are among a large contingent of players training away from the main group at Cobham, and manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed this situation is unlikely to change.
“In this moment, they are training apart,” Maresca told reporters on Wednesday. “The situation with them both is quite clear. If they are looking for minutes, then it is better if they leave.”
This has left Sterling looking for an exit route in the final week of the transfer window. Reports have suggested that the 29-year-old is keen on staying in London, and after previously working with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City there have been suggestions that the pair could link up together again at Arsenal.
However, Arteta played down this possibility in his press conference ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League clash with Aston Villa.
“No,” he said when asked if he had been tempted to contact Sterling. “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.”
Arsenal are instead edging closer to sealing a £28million deal for Mikel Merino. The Spanish international will be Arsenal’s third signing of the window after David Raya’s loan move from Brentford was made permanent and Riccardo Calafiori was brought in from Bologna.
There remains a possibility that Arsenal could do further business beyond that however. If Aaron Ramsdale does end up leaving the club, then a new back up goalkeeper will be required, while the Gunners would like to add a versatile forward to their ranks. Arteta has confirmed that they are ready for all possibilities in the final days of the transfer window.
“You have to be ready and especially in the last week,” he said. “You have to be alert and prepared because a lot of surprises can come, for many different reasons and we are prepared.”
