Arsenal reach agreement with Raheem Sterling

Arsenal appear to have edged closer to a deal for Raheem Sterling, after reportedly agreeing terms with the Chelsea winger for a shock move to the Emirates Stadium on transfer deadline day. Multiple sources suggest that Sterling has agreed a significantly reduced package in order to push through a move to the Emirates, and now all that remains is for Chelsea to agree a fee for Jadon Sancho and/or Victor Osimhen as a replacement forward.

In what will be a busy transfer deadline day, the Gunners are to bring Sterling to North London on a one year loan deal, with Arsenal paying around 60 percent of Sterling's reported £300,000 per week salary. In return, Arsenal will also pay a small fee to Chelsea, understood to be around £2 million.

Chelsea have been frantically trying to get at least one deal over the line before the close of the transfer window, with Jadon Sancho reportedly the player most favoured by Enzo Maresca, but Victor Osimhen also apparently in the frame for a move to England. Osimhen has so far indicated that he wants to stay in Europe and will reject any transfer to Saudi Arabia, making a move to Chelsea very likely before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm UK time this evening. Sancho has reportedly flown to London with his agent to discuss a potential loan move to the Blues of his own, as Man Utd appear to have decided to let the England international leave in search of regular first-team football. Sancho famously fell out with Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag last season, and finished the season on loan with Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Sancho and Osimhen could both make the move to Chelsea, but it is possible only one will be transferred before the close of business.

Sterling has worked with Mikel Arteta previously, as the now Arsenal manager had been assistant manager at Manchester City during Sterling's spell at the Etihad. Sterling and Arteta are said to have an excellent working relationship and in signing Raheem, the Gunners will add an important rotation option to Bukayo Saka.