Raheem Sterling is desperate to return to London and join Arsenal this summer, despite stronger interest in him from Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Despite Arsenal not yet tabling an offer for Sterling, it appears he favours a move to Arsenal this summer, according to The Express. The report also states that the player is very keen to get a deal tied up before the Premier League season begins on August 8.
Manchester City had a £25million bid plus £5million in add ons rejected, but they are preparing a second bid.
Liverpool’s asking price remains at £50million, and it is believed that Manchester City are likely to get much closer to that valuation than Arsenal. Manuel Pellegrini is in need of new attacking talent and of homegrown reinforcements. Manchester City are prepared to spend big this summer and have identified Sterling as a main target.
Chelsea and Manchester United both have a reported interested in Sterling but neither appear keen on entering a bidding war and have been put off by Liverpool’s huge valuation of the player.
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I think Arsenal might table a bid of around £35million, but whatever we do bid I expect Manchester City to outbid us, and Liverpool will not sell cheaply.
Arsene Wenger however is happy to go without an attacking signing this summer, although he is thought to be monitoring the situations of Sterling and Karim Benzema. Wenger’s priority at the moment is the retention of his current attacking players, which includes tying down Theo Walcott to a new contract.