Arsenal have reportedly revived their interest in Raheem Sterling, and are set to propose a swap deal to Manchester City including Alexis Sanchez.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Arsenal are set to use Manchester City’s pursuit of Alexis Sanchez to reignite their interest in Raheem Sterling. The Gunners are, thus, set to propose a January swap deal involving the two players to their Premier League rivals.
Sterling first shot into prominence in the Premier League in the 2013-14 season as he played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s title run, where the Reds fell just short behind eventual winners Manchester City. The Citizens subsequently snapped the player up in the summer of 2015 and his career has taken new heights since then.
Alexis Sanchez may be allowed to join Manchester City if the Citizens are willing to release Raheem Sterling as part of the deal, claims the Daily Mail. pic.twitter.com/t3yke4i8rs
— Football Transfers (@TransferTrends) November 16, 2017
In particular, the arrival of Pep Guardiola has helped Sterling’s progress considerably, with the England international showing definitive improvement over the last twelve months. This season, the player has made 15 appearances across all competitions for City, boasting an impressive record of 10 goals and 3 assists.
Having become a prolific contributor for the Citizens thus far this season, Sterling is starting to attract interest from clubs. In particular, Arsenal are keen on signing the youngster in the winter transfer window, intending to use City’s interest in Alexis Sanchez to broker a deal including the Englishman.
The Premier League leaders have not ended their pursuit of the Chilean despite failing to land him on deadline day in the summer transfer window, and are reportedly hoping to land him in a cut-price deal in January.
Considering the improvement that Sterling has shown over the last twelve months, he is definitely a viable target for Arsenal and could be an ideal long-term replacement for Sanchez at the Emirates. But, it remains to be seen if Pep Guardiola will allow Sterling to leave, with the player a key part of his plans.
Man City players directly involved in 10+ goals this season:
Leroy Sané (15)
Sergio Agüero (12)
Raheem Sterling (12)
Kevin De Bruyne (11) pic.twitter.com/PisRnaVpJt— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 2, 2017
The Manchester City boss had blocked Arsenal’s attempts to sign the 22-year-old in the summer as well, and it is hard to see how he would even consider the England international’s departure in the winter transfer window either.
Arsenal, though, are set to propose a swap deal including Sterling and Sanchez, although the ball doesn’t seem to be in their court, considering Sanchez could join Manchester City for free next summer as well.
It now remains to be seen if the move sees the light of the day, but these definitely are an interesting turn of events just days after Arsene Wenger called Sterling a diver following Manchester City’s win over Arsenal.
