Darren Bent urges Arsenal to make surprise move for Chelsea’s highest-paid player

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Arsenal are not done yet in the summer transfer window as they scour the market for potential reinforcements.

Mikel Arteta’s side are preparing to challenge for the Premier League title once again and will aim to go one better than what was the case in the last two seasons as they look to dethrone Manchester City at the summit.

Arsenal have already signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a fee believed to be in the region of £42m, with the Italian seen as the ideal candidate to add more options to their already rock-solid rearguard.

As we approach the business end of the summer transfer window, the Gunners have been urged to sign a player who Arteta knows quite well from his time as Manchester City’s assistant manager.

Darren Bent believes Raheem Sterling would be an ideal fit for Arsenal

Darren Bent has suggested Raheem Sterling as a potential transfer target for the Gunners, with the England international currently falling down the pecking order in Chelsea‘s rather bloated squad.

Bent believes Sterling could be a valuable option for Arteta, with the pair having worked together during their shared stint at Man City. The former England striker also emphasised the fact that Sterling’s experience and exploits in the game belie his age.

“He is only 29, which means there’s more in him. I think I will take him at Arsenal, you know?” said Bent on talkSPORT (4:11 pm, August 9, 2024).

“I am not saying he starts every game, but to have Sterling on the left. He is only 29. People talk about Sterling like he is 35.”

Do Arsenal really need Raheem Sterling?

Sterling is currently Chelsea’s highest-paid player, with the England international putting pen to paper on a five-year deal worth £325,000-a-week when he signed for the club from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

The 29-year-old is an experienced figure and has won ten major trophies in his career so far – all with Man City.

That said, Sterling is mostly comfortable playing on the left flank and Arsenal are adequately stacked in that position with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Additionally, Sterling’s wages could prove to be a stumbling block for the Gunners, who are currently pursuing other transfer targets.

Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino is in talks to sign for Arsenal, while Eddie Nketiah is wanted by Bournemouth in a move that could force the Gunners to dip into the market for attacking reinforcements.

If they decide to do so, they’d be better off adding another right-winger to their squad over Sterling, which would allow Bukayo Saka to get a breather when games start to come thick and fast.

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