Arsenal idol issues verdict on completing Raheem Sterling deal after new development
Kevin Campbell has suggested Raheem Sterling’s wage demands could prevent Arsenal from launching a transfer move this summer.
The former Gunners striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 27-year-old could be open to working with ex-Man City assistant Mikel Arteta again.
According to The Telegraph (9 June), Europe’s top clubs believe Sterling is ready to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer with just one year remaining on his contract.
It is claimed that Chelsea are the English club showing the greatest interest – with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona also monitoring the forward’s situation.
Arsenal have also been credited with an interest in bringing Sterling back to London – his hometown.
The 74-time England international reportedly earns around £300,000-a-week at Man City.
Campbell suggested those numbers could prove prohibitive for Arsenal at this stage of their rebuild under Arteta.
“I think Sterling would like to work with Arteta again,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“But I just can’t see the numbers working in Arsenal’s favour. He’s very well-paid at Man City – to even get near that wage will be a real strain on the budget.
“Maybe it’s a bit early on in this rebuild to be thinking about a deal like that.
“I could be very far of the mark and there could well be more than enough funds available, but I just can’t see it happening.”
Sterling netted 17 goals for Man City across all competitions in the 2021-22 campaign despite making just 32 starts.
The former Liverpool ace has won four Premier League titles during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal will play Europa League football during the 2022-23 season.
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