Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Sterling has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 81 competitive appearances since he joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
Despite being under contract until 2027, it appears that Sterling has already played his final game for the West London club.
The 29-year-old has not featured in any of Chelsea's four matchday squads this season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.
As a result, Chelsea are looking to offload the former Man City man before the transfer window shuts at 11pm (BST) on Friday.
Arsenal considering rivalling Man United for Sterling?
Man United have emerged as one of the contenders for Sterling's signature and could make a late move to sign him before the transfer deadline.
There has been a suggestion that Jadon Sancho could be used in a potential swap deal for Sterling, but the 24-year-old appears on course to complete a switch to Juventus.
While Sterling is attracting interest from Man United, The Independent are reporting that Arsenal are weighing up whether to make their own late bid to sign the Chelsea attacker.
The report claims that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a 'strong' relationship with Sterling from his time working as part of Pep Guardiola's coaching staff at Man City.
While Arteta is an admirer of Sterling, the player's wages could prove to be a stumbling block in potential negotiations.
First, Sterling would have to settle his contract issues with Chelsea and then he would have to fit into Arsenal's wage structure.
The winger currently earns a reported £325,000 a week at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal are unlikely to offer him any more than £150,000 per week.
Why are Arsenal considering Sterling?
The Gunners have strengthened their squad with the permanent additions of goalkeeper David Raya, defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Mikel Merino.
They are yet to bolster their attacking options and are seemingly keen to change that before the summer transfer window slams shut.
Arsenal identified Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams as their top target, but the Euro 2024 winner is reluctant to leave Spain.
As a result, the Gunners have turned their focus to alternative targets, including Sterling and Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman.
Arsenal are keen to reduce the workload on the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, especially with the Gunners competing in the expanded Champions League.
