According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are interested in signing Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City.
Amazingly, the Daily Mail are claiming that Pep Guardiola has put both wingers up for sale this summer.
Of course, Mikel Arteta worked with both Sterling and Mahrez during his time as Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad Stadium.
In Sterling’s case, the Daily Mail state that the Citizens are now willing to listen to offers for the man who cost them £49 million from Liverpool.
The news comes after he lost his place in the starting XI to Phil Foden.
Despite what Guardiola currently thinks of Manchester City’s No.7, he has previously waxed lyrical about the 61-cap England international.
What has Guardiola said about Sterling previously?
After the 26-year-old scored a hat-trick against West Ham, the Spaniard was effusive in his praise of the former QPR academy player.
The BBC quote Guardiola as saying: “I know the special qualities of the player, the consistency, physicality, the finishing.
“He is in his first days playing as a striker but for me striker will be an incredible position for him, but he can play in three positions up front.”
There’s no doubt about it – Sterling would be a phenomenal signing for Arsenal. However, there’s surely no chance of it happening.
The Kingston-born forward is one of Europe’s best attackers, and is arguably yet to reach his prime at just 26 years of age.
In 291 appearances for Manchester City, Sterling has incredibly scored 114 goals, while also providing 87 assists.
Despite not being at his best this term, the winger has still scored 14 goals while recording 12 assists, which is pretty good.
Yes, he may be out of Guardiola’s starting XI now.
However, the Citizens would be foolish to let their diminutive forward leave, especially for a Premier League rival in Arsenal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
