Arsenal are in talks with Chelsea to sign Raheem Sterling on loan before the transfer market shuts.
The 29-year-old winger is not part of the plans at Stamford Bridge and Arsenal have now opened negotiations over a temporary season-long deal.
If the clubs find a compromise, Sterling will still need to agree personal terms — but that is not expected to prove a stumbling block to the move.
The proposition is said to be hugely attractive to the ex-Liverpool and Manchester City attacker.
Given that Sterling has been deemed surplus to requirements at Chelsea and is faced with the prospect of not enjoying first-team action in west London, the proposed switch would present him with an 11th-hour chance to revive his season.
Arsenal are expected to compete for domestic trophies and will be contesting Champions League football in the 2024-25 campaign.
Switching to the Emirates Stadium would also reunite Sterling with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta; the pair worked together at City and continue to enjoy a very strong relationship.
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Sterling was a regular last season under Mauricio Pochettino before new head coach Enzo Maresca bolstered his attacking options with the signings of Joao Felix, Pedro Neto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Guiu this summer.
“I am not saying Raheem is not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers,” Maresca said earlier this month having left him out of the matchday squad for the opening weekend defeat to City.
“We have a big squad and it’s impossible to give all of them minutes. If they are looking for minutes it’s better for them to leave. I try to be honest.”
Sterling won four Premier League titles and one FA Cup at City having joined the club from Liverpool in 2015.
He has also won 82 caps for England but has not been part of a squad since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal have made three signings this summer with goalkeeper David Raya making his loan move from Brentford permanent, defender Riccardo Calafiori joining from Bologna before midfielder Mikel Merino arrived from Real Sociedad.
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