Arsenal 'strike Raheem Sterling agreement' as Edu faces race against the clock

Arsenal have reportedly struck an agreement with Raheem Sterling as they look to secure the services of the Chelsea winger. The England international is said to have accepted a deal to join the Gunners on loan and the club’s transfer chief Edu is now facing a race against the clock to get the deal done.

Sterling had been confident of playing a role for Chelsea this season after featuring for the club in pre-season.

But he was then left out of the Blues’ matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Manchester City earlier this month.

He released a statement through his representatives asking for clarity over his future after Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had announced his squad for the City game.

And Sterling’s career at Chelsea appears to be well and truly over after he was omitted from his team’s UEFA Conference League clashes with Servette earlier this month as well as the Premier League encounter with Wolves last weekend.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, negotiations between Arsenal and Chelsea over a loan deal for Sterling are advanced. And the player has agreed to move to the Emirates Stadium.

Sterling’s future has been the subject of speculation throughout transfer deadline day. And Sky Sports reported that he wasn’t interested in a move to Saudi Arabia or the Scottish Premiership as he isn’t motivated by money.

The outlet then explained that Sterling would prefer to secure a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge but the prospect of linking up with his former Manchester City coach Mikel Arteta and playing in the Champions League is enticing and attractive to him.

The decision to leave Chelsea was taken out of his hands after he was taken to one side a couple of weeks ago and told he wasn’t going to play.

Sterling only arrived at Chelsea two years ago after the Blues shelled out £50million and handed him a five-year contract to prise him away from the Etihad Stadium after Todd Boehly had taken over in west London.

The 29-year-old featured 81 times for Chelsea during his first two seasons in the capital, contributing 19 goals and 12 assists.

But he struggled to hit his best form last season and regularly started matches on the bench towards the end of the campaign. And with Arsenal in need of extra squad depth as they search for Premier League and Champions League honours, a move to north London appears to make sense for all parties.