Arsenal and Chelsea have dealt in several players over the last few years and Raheem Sterling was the latest to join the Gunners, albeit that is on a loan valid until 2025.
The Englishman fell out of favour under Enzo Maresca and having been scathingly told that he will not play a part with the Blues this season, a move to Arsenal presented itself as an opportunity.
It has now emerged that £89m winger Mykhailo Mudryk was offered to Mikel Arteta’s men before Raheem Sterling with Chelsea hoping that the Ukrainian’s name could be used as a negotiating tactic to help yield a better deal from Arsenal.
Given that Chelsea have signed the likes of Joao Felix and Pedro Neto, Mudryk could also be deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca or at the very least, lose his starting berth in the team’s line-up.
Chelsea’s tactics fell flat
Though Chelsea had offered Mudryk, Arsenal would never have considered his signing to be realistic as he is not a capable right winger, a position which Mikel Arteta was looking to rebuild.
Moreover, Raheem Sterling’s past with Arteta at Manchester City as well as his rich experience in the Premier League would have been of key in convincing Arsenal to get a loan for him across the line.
The 29-year-old also arrived in a deal that is bound to work superbly for Arsenal. Of his £325,000 weekly wage, the north Londoners are only expected to pay £150,000 while Chelsea are still obliged to pay him the lion’s share of his salary.
In truth, the deal worked superbly for Sterling and his life as a Gunner has already gotten underway under a very familiar face, Arteta.
He commenced training with the Arsenal players on Monday, September 2nd, and could make his debut for the club in their first match after the international break which is interestingly against Tottenham Hotspur.
