Arsenal look to pounce on contract delay as part of double Man City raid

Arsenal are reportedly making steps to bring Raheem Sterling to Emirates Stadium this summer – and cash in on the uncertainty surrounding his Manchester City future.

The England forward is about to enter the final year of his City contract, with the arrangement due to expire in summer 2023. Talks over a new deal have been ongoing for some time, but as of yet, no agreement has been reached.

Indeed, we exclusively revealed last month how Pep Guardiola is growing increasingly concerned that Sterling will decline fresh terms. And should that happen, the Blues will have little choice but to listen to offers for the 27-year-old this summer.

He has consistently been linked with a move to Spain, having made no secret of his wish to play abroad at one stage in his career.

However, Barcelona are currently unlikely to have the funds to sign Sterling. Real Madrid, meanwhile, appear to have priorities elsewhere, despite seemingly missing out on Kylian Mbappe.

That leaves open the possibility of a move within the Premier League and a return to his London roots.

The Gunners, of course, are very much in need of attacking reinforcements this summer. They are chasing at least one new attacker, possibly two, with Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette likely to depart.

And they are no strangers to links with Sterling either. Indeed, their interest in the player has been widely documented on several occasions since Mikel Arteta took charge.

Now Calciomercato.it reports that Arteta is ready to step up his efforts to land Sterling. They are reportedly looking to step in and offer him a sizeable salary to quit the Blues and move back down south.

A deal in the region of £50m is being reported, which would be within Arsenal’s remit.

Raheem Sterling not thinking about his future

Interestingly, Arteta is also being linked with a swoop for his Manchester City teammate Gabriel Jesus. Like Sterling, he too is on a deal that will expire in summer 2023.

And amid claims that Erling Haaland is likely to sign for City in a giant deal this summer, Jesus could be the player to make way.

Deals for both players is likely to set Arsenal back the best part of £80m.

Speaking earlier this week, Sterling suggested he was happy to put talks on his future on hold until the summer.

“At this period it would be selfish to speak of any contract situation. We’ll see how it goes,” he said, prior to Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg tie with Real Madrid.

Sterling said his full focus was on the clash with the Spanish giants as City, beaten finalists last year, look to take another step towards a first Champions League crown.

He said: “Every season it’s always a challenge. It’s the one we’ve not got our hands on and we’re focusing on.

“It’s a special competition, every young player wants to be here. Every time I play I do my best, the music and atmosphere is always special.

“As a forward, I want to be playing, scoring, assisting. Contributing is massive, that’s how you get confidence. I’m happy to get a part of the team.”

Sterling deal ticks plenty of boxes for Arsenal

The chance to bring in Raheem Sterling is one that makes plenty of sense for Arsenal.

The Gunners are a side that are upwardly mobile under Arteta and will hope to secure Champions League football this season.

And if they do that, their prospects of signing the likes of Sterling and Jesus would hugely increase.

With a young squad at his disposal, the Gunners could easily make room for both Sterling and Jesus in their side.

Indeed, a front three of those two and Bukayo Saka would certainly excite.

Providing more goals from a wide area, Sterling would also prove a massive upgrade on Nicolas Pepe, who has struggled to justify his club-record £72m fee, and recently teased his potential exit this summer.

Source: Transfer News – TEAMtalk

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