Sterling saga ends with loan switch to Arsenal
Raheem Sterling completed a season-long loan move to Arsenal from Chelsea at the eleventh hour on transfer deadline day.
Sterling, who made 81 appearances for Chelsea since his move from Manchester City in 2022, was told he was not in the plans of new Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.
After not being involved in the squad for its opening day defeat to his former side, Sterling's representatives sought clarity over his future and he was linked with a move to Manchester United.
But instead, he reunited with Mikel Arteta, having spent time with him at City when the Spaniard was assistant head coach to Pep Guardiola.
During his two-year stint at Stamford Bridge, the 29-year-old netted 19 goals and added 12 assists in that time, with 18 of those goal involvements coming last campaign.
His 45 completed dribbles in the league was a total only bettered by Cole Palmer (52) and Nicolas Jackson (54), while also creating 39 chances for Chelsea.
Sterling provides a wealth of experience for the Gunners in their quest for the Premier League crown, having won the title four times with City.
"It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing. It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for," Sterling said.
"Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.
"I spoke with Edu and I said that it’s something you can see from the outside, you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey that the boys are on, and you can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of."
It offers another attacking option to Arteta for the remainder of the campaign, with Arsenal having allowed two of its forwards to depart the club on the final day of the window.
Eddie Nketiah completed a permanent transfer to Crystal Palace for an initial £25 million ($48.5 million) fee, plus £5 million ($9.7 million) in performance-related add-ons.
Reiss Nelson also secured a move away from the Gunners, signing a season-long loan deal with Fulham.
