Arsenal are set to wait on whether Manchester City will make Raheem Sterling available for transfer this summer before pursuing a move.
The England international will enter the final year of his contract next season and has so far given little indication that he is ready to pen a new deal. The forward has somewhat fallen down the pecking order at the club this campaign.
It was telling that Sterling did not start either leg against Real Madrid in the Champions League, while a move away has intrigued him in the past. In fact, it was the Spanish team that registered the firmest interest in his services while the player is open to a move abroad.
But Arsenal could be his next destination this summer, according to the Telegraph, depending on how the scene looks at the end of the season. Both City and Sterling are prepared to hold off any talk on his future until the end of the season as he concentrates on retaining the Premier League title.
The 27-year-old knows Mikel Arteta well from his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant coach, and the two Spaniards still have a brilliant working relationship. The Gunners have made bolstering their attack a priority in the summer.
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After already bidding farewell to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and looking likely to lose both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, Arteta wants to sign two strikers to make up for the departing firepower.
Several forwards have been linked including Victor Osimhen, Lautaro Martinez and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Gabriel Jesus is also high on the wish list, meaning there could be two City stars at the Emirates by the start of next season.
Landing Champions League football will be pivotal to Arteta's cause, though, as without it they will struggle to land the big names. Sterling is currently earning £300,000-a-week at the Etihad, making any chance of a transfer difficult even in the best-case scenario.
If City do make the former Liverpool star available for transfer, there will also be a long line of potential suitors. While it might not be his best season in front of goal, Sterling remains an incredibly consistent attacker.
As well as Real Madrid, Barcelona have also been interested in his services while several other elite European outfits would likely take a closer look should the situation develop further. In 28 Premier League appearances, the forward has scored 12 and has three Champions League goals as well.
His versatility is another attractive trait, having played across the entire front three for City this season including operating on either flank with almost equal impact. It means that Arteta might have a battle on his hands should he pursue forward further.
