Arsenal ‘offered’ shock Raheem Sterling deadline day transfer as Mikel Arteta preference emerges

Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Chelsea and England star Raheem Sterling ahead of deadline day on Friday, according to reports. Sterling is expected to leave Enzo Maresca’s team before the transfer window in England closes on Friday night at 11pm.

The forward has been told he will not play for Chelsea this season if he does not leave. Any deal for the 29-year-old would require the Blues settling part of his contract and wages.

According to The Independent, Mikel Arteta is keen to add an ‘explosive’ player to his side after being linked with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams throughout the window. Sterling was reportedly on Manchester United’s radar, with talk of Jadon Sancho going the other way. However, Sancho is now said to be close to moving to Juventus to rule out a return to Manchester for Sterling.

Arteta worked with Sterling during their time at Man City before the Spaniard moved to the Emirates Stadium. However, the report from the Independent suggests that the Arsenal boss likes his personality and is confident of his ability to be a good influence.

The problem over the deal is thought to be the finances. Arsenal are said to be unwilling to pay a fee for the former Liverpool ace and his reported £325,000-a-week salary is a problem, with the Gunners’ unlikely to go above £150,000-a-week.

As well as Sterling, Arsenal have also been offered Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman. The France international has been proposed to a number of European clubs as part of Bayern’s attempt to trim their huge wage bill.

Coman could be available on either a permanent deal or season-long loan. Al Hilal are also keen to sign the rapid winger, with Bayern wanting between £42million and £50.5million. With just over 24 hours of the window remaining, the Gunners could still bolster Arteta’s attacking options.