Raheem Sterling to Arsenal transfer update as Fabrizio Romano makes Chelsea 'agreement' claim

Arsenal are said to be closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling. It has been a strange summer for the Chelsea winger, who prepared as usual with the Blues during pre-season only to be told he is no longer wanted by Enzo Maresca in the days before the start of the Premier League season.

A public fallout of sorts followed, with the winger’s representatives releasing a public statement, while Maresca responded by making it clear the England international simply is not the kind of winger he is looking for. Sterling was encouraged to find a new club, but he wasn’t left with too much time.

It’s not easy for a player who earns £325,000-per-week to find a new club, even if he is willing to drop those wages, with interest from Manchester United coming and going. In a late twist, Arsenal are said to have expressed an interest as they look to add competition on the wings, with Gabriel Martinelli looking in need of a push.

The Gunners were also said to be hoping to strike a deal for a striker, but it proved too difficult and too expensive to add to that position, barring any huge surprises in the final hours of the window. Sterling could be the ideal solution out wide with Arsenal potentially adding a high quality player while not forking out any upfront transfer fee beyond whatever loan fee the deal would include, something they require amid the presence of Profit and Sustainability rules.

According to transfer ‘insider’ Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal and Sterling already have an agreement over a possible deal, but it will now be down to the Gunners chiefs to decide whether to pursue a deal. Romano tweeted: “Raheem Sterling and Arsenal, agreement between player and #AFC in case club decides to get it done. Raheem wants the move. Negotiations ongoing between clubs with Chelsea open to finding solutions.”

Decision time for Arsenal, and indeed Chelsea.