Chelsea have reached out to Arsenal to offer the Gunners the chance to sign winger Raheem Sterling, a report has revealed.
Sterling was surprisingly exiled from the Chelsea squad for the opening game of the season and manager Enzo Maresca has publicly urged the 29-year-old to find a new club before Friday’s deadline, warning Sterling he will not play this season if he does not leave.
Manchester United have been contacted and have indicated an interest in doing a swap deal that would send Jadon Sancho to Chelsea in exchange.
The Blues are keen but still need to come to an agreement over the final three years of Sterling’s bumper £325,000-a-week contract.
While those talks are ongoing, The Times note that Chelsea have also contacted Arsenal to alert the Gunners to Sterling’s availability.
Arsenal want a new forward and had been keen to land Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, who has snubbed interest from a number of Europe’s top clubs in favour of remaining with his current side for at least one more season.
Chelsea hope Arsenal will now look to Sterling, who was recently the subject of high praise from Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.
If they do pursue a deal, neither Arsenal nor United are expected to come anywhere close to Sterling’s current salary and Chelsea may have to offer some compensation to the winger to encourage him to leave.
Given the complicated nature of this deal, Sterling remaining at Stamford Bridge has not been ruled out either.
What we know
- Chelsea searching for buyer for Sterling before transfer deadline
- Man Utd interested in Jadon Sancho swap deal
- Arsenal latest to be linked with 29-year-old.