Arsenal eye stunning Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez deals

Oh Arsenal, never change. Links to a number of talents across Europe have arisen ahead of the summer transfer window opening: some realistic, some downright barmy. The latest speculative madness to do its rounds on the rumour mill are Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez. Yes, really. Strap yourselves in for a corker.

Busy in north London fretting over what defines ‘ruthless‘, Manchester City are preparing for a Champions League final and what’s come to light ahead of it shows that they’re not afraid to make their own unpopular decisions. They can quite easily, however, since they’re swimming in cash.

Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez are both elite forwards. The former has been in sparkling form for the Citizens for the best part of four years, hitting huge numbers in the Premier League up until the most recent campaign. As for the Algerian, he remains one of the best dribblers in England, an echelon he’s sat atop since 2015/16.

As per the Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, Pepe Guardiola is ready to sell both in the summer as part of his own squad building and, remarkably, Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing either to north London.

Arsenal eye stunning Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez deals as Manchester City prepare sales

Now, Mokbel is a reliable name when it comes to Arsenal with strong links to the club. In this case, what will help tie Arsenal and the pair together will be Arteta’s previous working relationship from his time at City.

The Spaniard is credited with a lot of positive work under Guardiola but none as notable as the improvements he made with the wingers. Both Sterling and Mahrez are fond admirers of Arteta, who spent tireless hours mastering their respective crafts and helping them reach the heights they have.

Realistically though, and as mentioned in the report, it will require serious finance and the allure of Europe to land either player. The kind of things Arsenal, well, don’t have. They’re in the elite bracket, always challenging for titles deserving of Champions League football. In many ways it’s a sweet, wholesome link with two of Arteta’s former players.

Mahrez is 30 now and would have been a wonderful signing five years ago, while Sterling, despite Arsenal being heavily stocked in forward departments including left-winger, would be a glorious addition to the club. He’ll link beautifully with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe next season.

Are either necessarily needed? They aren’t, but you can’t turn down such quality if it comes around. The Englishman hasn’t had his best season this term and has lost his place in the City team, but he’s destined for a Real Madrid. He’s still exceptional.

If Arteta is that pally with Guardiola then wrangling a Sterling deal would be some marquee signing. This ‘could’ just be some PR out of the club, that designed to act as a smokescreen while a deal is worked on for 35-year-old free agent Solomon Kalou, but given the source it indicates that the manager is setting his sights high.

Far, far, far too high. Maybe stick to wingers at newly promoted clubs.