Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants to bring Raheem Sterling to the Emirates Stadium, but the Manchester City star is reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona instead.
Arsenal interest
The Daily Star have reported that Arsenal are monitoring the situation of City star Sterling, who can operate as an attacking midfielder or as a winger.
Talks between the England international and City over a new deal are going slowly.
Arsenal manager Arteta worked with the 26-year-old when he was a coach at the defending Premier League champions, and the Spaniard is keen on bringing the former Liverpool star to the Emirates Stadium.
Barcelona desire
However, Sport are now reporting that Sterling wants to move to Barcelona instead.
The La Liga club wanted to sign the former Liverpool star in the summer of 2021 and remain keen on bringing him to Camp Nou when the transfer window opens in January.
Sterling is reportedly ‘crazy’ on a move to Barcelona, and believes that he can be a leading figure at the former Spanish and European giants.
Blow for Arsenal
This latest report in Sport will come as a blow for Arsenal.
Now, of course, the Gunners are a big club and a global brand and are based in London.
However, Barcelona are a European superpower, and despite their financial problems and struggles on this pitch this season, they remain an attractive proposition for any player.
Sterling – described as “amazing” by former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho on talkSPORT in July 2021 – is a very good attacking player who has yet to hit his peak, and he would make Arsenal a better and more potent team.
However, it seems that the City star wants to move to Barcelona, not Arsenal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
