Raheem Sterling responds to Arsenal speculation

Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has stressed that he was never keen on a move to Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

The England international emerged as a shock target for the Gunners on transfer deadline day as they looked to sign him in a potential player-plus-cash deal for Alexis Sanchez.

However, the deal did not materialise with manager Pep Guardiola turning down the prospect of cashing in on a highly-rated forward.

Speaking to reporters, via ESPN, Sterling insisted that he never considered  switch to the Emirates, and he only knew of the interest the day after.

He said: "I didn't need to speak with (Guardiola) because I had already spoken to him during the summer about pre-season. I didn't have any negative thoughts or anything bad about it."

"I just woke up one day with England and saw it, and I didn't believe a word of it until I heard something from the manager, then I would believe it."

Sterling has since evolved into a vital player in the Citizens lineup, and he is presently the club's leading scorer with seven goals alongside Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.

The former Liverpool man has not managed more than 11 goals in a single professional campaign, and he is on course for his best-ever season ahead of next year's World Cup finals in Russia.