Liverpool have informed Arsenal that they will negotiate a deal for winger Raheem Sterling only if Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs are offered in exchange, . according to reports.
Liverpool have maintained that Raheem Sterling will not be sold despite the winger refusing to sign an extension to his contract which has two years to run. But with the saga dragging on and increasingly looking unlikely to be over anytime soon, Liverpool are attempting to get the best deal that is available and have approached Arsenal to exchange Sterling for Walcott and Gibbs knowing fully that Arsene Wenger is a big admirer of the English youngster.
Liverpool are looking to move on Jose Enrique in the transfer window and are in need of a left sided full back to fill that gap. Gibbs will fill that void. Theo Walcott’s pace and finishing will be very good addition to Brendan Rodgers system at Liverpool and there will be no need to hunt for a replacement of Sterling. As illustrated in the comparison below, Walcott’s movement and finishing will perfectly compliment the creative attributes of the likes of Coutinho, Henderson, and Adam Lallana as the Arsenal man is more of a goalscorer than creator.
Walcott himself has a year to run to his contract and seeks assurances from Wenger regarding first team football. With Giroud, Welbeck, Sanchez, Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain all competing for similar positions,it looks unlikely that the 26 year old will be promised first team by the Frenchman.
Currently, Manchester City are leading the race for Sterling’s signature should they bid anything above A?40 million, but, the player has reiterated his desire to move back to London where he has grown up.