Arsenal: Raheem Sterling an interesting an Alexis Sanchez offer

Manchester City are reportedly offering Raheem Sterling as a makeweight to try and sign Alexis Sanchez. The talented winger is an interesting option that Arsenal should perhaps explore.

In the aftermath of Arsenal’s disastrous 4-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday, as the transfer deadline steams into the forefront of our consciousness, now just three days away, the overriding feeling engulfing the club has been one of panic, pain and perpetual confusion as fans, analysts and pundits try to decipher the increasingly maddening and muddling decisions of the club.

Those feelings have only been incited further by the recent transfer activity of the Gunners. Rumours that Shkodran Mustafi could be joining Inter Milan have only intensified, Chelsea have had a £35 million offer for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain accepted, and now Manchester City are again swooping for Alexis Sanchez, this time offering Raheem Sterling as a makeweight.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

It is an unusual and unlikely bid. Player swaps are extremely difficult to complete. There are a lot of moving parts that must all fit together as one cohesive transfer and it takes one of them to falter for the whole move to break down. But City seem intent on signing Sanchez and Arsenal will need a replacement, one that will be difficult to find this close to transfer deadline day. What better way to find a replacement than to make a swap deal?

Sterling is clearly not a player of the same quality and calibre as Sanchez. He is far more inconsistent than the Chilean. His footballing brain is not as sharp as Sanchez, his end product leaves a lot to be desired, as evidenced by his goalscoring and assist-making feats, and he can drift through games without ever enforcing his influence on the game.

However, there is one key attribute that Sterling has that Sanchez does not and it makes any potential deal worth exploring. Sterling has youth on his side. It is easy to forget given how long he has been in the limelight, but Sterling is only 22 years of age. He still has room to grow and to develop, building on his undoubted natural ability.

Sanchez, meanwhile, will turn 29 this season, having featured in a World Cup, two Copa Americas and a Confederations Cup in four consecutive summers, and played almost every game for Arsenal when fit. There is an argument to be made that the long-term potential of Sterling is worth sacrificing the short-term influence of Sanchez for.

Next: Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 5 things we learned

Money would have to be offered alongside Sterling to sweeten the deal. But while there would be a clear drop-off if Sanchez were to leave, Sterling is an intriguing enough prospect to at least explore.

Home/Arsenal News