Arsenal strike agreement for most dramatic deadline day signing since Mesut Ozil: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal have made huge Deadline Day signings before. They're in talks for another again.

The Gunners shocked football 10 years ago when they brought in Real Madrid A-lister Mesut Ozil in for a club-record deal. It was something particularly out of character for the club, who have avoided those kind of Deadline Day moves since.

Neto has already joined on loan from Bournemouth for the rest of the season. It seems though that there could be one more shock in the offing. 

New Arsenal signing Mesut Oezil at London Colney on September 12, 2013 in St Albans, England.

Mesut Ozil signing was a seismic moment for Gooners (Image credit: Getty Images)

David Ornstein, Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sports News are all reporting on a big u-turn from Mikel Arteta. Arsenal are back in talks over a move for Raheem Sterling – with Romano now saying that the Gunners have an agreement with the player, pending a deal being agreed between the two clubs.

Chelsea have made it clear that the England star has no future while Enzo Maresca is manager, and with Sterling's squad number now distributed to Pedro Neto, the writing is on the wall for him at the club. Time is running out for this transfer window, however, for Sterling to find a new club.

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Arsenal are said to only be interested in a low-cost move. This is forcing Chelsea's hand, somewhat – with Victor Osimhen set to arrive and the club sweating on keeping Sterling around for half a season.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, this could be a masterstroke of a deal for Arsenal. The Gunners don't need another forward given that they have six attackers for their squad but the opportunity to add depth of Sterling's calibre and experience would be worth taking at the right price. 

COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 03: Raheem Sterling #7 of Chelsea plays in a pre-season match against Manchester City at Ohio Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)

Arsenal are in talks with Raheem Sterling (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arteta has shown, too, with Kai Havertz and Jorginho that he can rehabilitate players from Stamford Bridge. Incidentally, the last player to have played for Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, was Nicolas Anelka.

Sterling is worth €35 million, as per Transfermarkt. His contract at Chelsea expires in 2027.

More Arsenal stories

Ademola Lookman is ready to reject Arsenal as his preferred move takes significant step. Arsenal could make a transfer u-turn amid six-team chase, while the Gunners have been handed a transfer lifeline after record deal falls through.

Reports say that Arsenal are to replace Eddie Nketiah with a proven striker in a cut-price deal. Meanwhile, Arsenal's 'best-ever' academy graduate has confirmed his exit, in another blow for Gunners.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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