"Wanted him for over a year" - Journalist drops big Arsenal claim on "phenomenal" 153-goal star

Arsenal have been keen to lure Manchester City attacker Raheem Sterling to the Emirates Stadium ‘for over a year’, but he will seek assurances ahead of agreeing to join Mikel Arteta’s side, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Gunners are closing in on a return to the Champions League, with them currently sitting in the Premier League’s top four, and it appears Arteta is putting plans in place ahead of the summer window opening for business.

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal are ready to explore a move for Sterling ahead of next season.

The report suggests there are serious doubts over whether the 74-cap England international will be at Manchester City beyond the end of the current campaign and the Gunners are preparing to pounce if the Premier League title chasers are open to sanctioning his departure.

Sterling, who is valued at £76.5million by Transfermarkt, could be made available due to entering the final 12 months of his £300,000-per-week contract in the summer.

The 27-year-old admitted earlier in the season that he is interested in heading overseas before hanging up his boots, suggesting he has thought of leaving his current employers.

Sterling is not the only Manchester City star who Arsenal have been linked with in recent weeks as technical director Edu has held discussions with Gabriel Jesus’ representatives ahead of potentially lodging a big-money bid.

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Jones understands Sterling has been on Arsenal’s radar for more than 12 months and the Manchester City ace will need to hold discussions before deciding whether to swap the Etihad Stadium for the Emirates Stadium.

However, the transfer insider has doubts as to whether Arteta and