Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling is reportedly left with two options on transfer deadline day.
The England international had initially been hoping and expecting to play a regular role in Enzo Maresca's new-look squad at Stamford Bridge.
Instead, he was omitted from the squad for the Premier League opener with Manchester City, Maresca later revealing that the 29-year-old would not be given minutes in any competition.
Since then, a number of teams have been heavily linked with the attacker, most recently Manchester United who would be open to sending Jadon Sancho in the opposite direction or in a separate deal.
According to Sky Sports News, Sterling has been left in a situation where he may only have two options heading into the closing hours of the summer transfer window.
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Staying in London
Sterling and his family are allegedly settled in London and the preference is to continue his Premier League career in the capital.
The report claims that it is just as likely that Sterling remains at Chelsea than it is that a transfer to Arsenal materialises.
Remaining in West London would naturally lead to the prospect of not playing any football until January at the earliest.
Whether Sterling is selected in Maresca's Premier League or Europa Conference League squads could be dependent on what other deals Chelsea facilitate before the 11pm deadline.
That said, despite the rivalry between the two clubs, Sterling making the switch to North London could suit all parties.
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A reunion with Arteta?
Sterling is no stranger to working with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta through their time together at Manchester City, when Arteta was on the coaching staff of Pep Guardiola.
Furthermore, the Gunners are on the brink of selling Eddie Nketiah to Crystal Palace without any obvious sign that they have another centre-forward lined up as a replacement.
Although Sterling would not be a natural alternative, he would offer a different wide option and potentially allow the likes of Leandro Trossard or Gabriel Martinelli to play down the middle if required.
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have shown in the past that they have no issue in conducting business with their Arsenal counterparts, with Jorginho and Kai Havertz each having moved to the Emirates Stadium across the last 18 months.
Darren Plant
