Arsenal looks suspiciously in the frame to sign Raheem Sterling ahead of the transfer deadline, but Mikel Arteta \u00a0shot down suggestions of him signing the winger this week.<\/p>\n
The former Manchester City and Liverpool\u00a0star is now seeking a new club before Friday night’s transfer deadline and Arteta\u2019s Emirates have emerged as a potential candidate.<\/p>\n
This is according to a report from The Independent claiming that Arsenal who are in the market for an attacker have been ‘offered’ the chance to sign the England star alongside Bayern Munich\u2019s Kingsley Coman.<\/p>\n
Obviously any deal to bring Sterling to North London would be anything but straightforward, and Arteta has made no secret of his admiration for a player he worked closely with during his time at Manchester City \u2013 yet he flatly pooh-poohed all suggestions that he would sign the forward\u00a0in the same press conference.<\/p>\n
Speaking last week, Arteta was asked about Sterling’s situation at Chelsea and if he would consider signing the winger. The Spaniard responded: \u201cNo but I can talk about my time with Raheem. My time with Raheem was exceptional. We built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we were together.<\/p>\n
While it remains to be seen if Arteta will go back on his word by making an attempt to rescue Sterling from his Stamford Bridge nightmare, Maresca reaffirmed that neither Sterling nor any of the other out of favour players at Chelsea would get minutes if they failed to secure a move away this week.<\/p>\n
The Italian was asked if Sterling would be on the move and replied:\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019re gonna see. I prefer to be honest with the players, and with Raheem I have been exactly the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ones who are not involved are not going to be involved, and they are not going to get any minutes in case they stay.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what happens when the transfer window closes. We\u2019ll see who is here and who is not here. The only thing I can say is the ones who are going to get minutes are the ones I feel can help us.\u201d<\/p>\n
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