No fee and 33% of wages: Arsenal sign Sterling in bargain loan from Chelsea

Arsenal have secured the loan signing of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea for the 2024/25 season, marking a significant and somewhat unexpected move late in the summer transfer window.

The deal sees Sterling make a high-profile switch across London to reunite with his former coach Mikel Arteta at the Emirates Stadium.

The possibility of Sterling joining Arsenal first came to light on Thursday, when reports from Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail and James Olley of ESPN confirmed that Arsenal had been offered the chance to sign the forward.

Despite initial uncertainty about whether Arsenal would pursue the deal, the club’s interest quickly intensified, leading to the successful completion of the loan agreement.

It is believed that the deal includes no fee but also no option to buy, while Sterling will be paid £100k by Arsenal, according to Teamnewsandtix.

If true, and given their track record it likely is, this represents a remarkable bit of business from the club. It was also reported that Chelsea will pick up the remainder of his £350kpw wages, although there was also talk of him taking a paycut to make the move happen.

Sterling, 29, made 43 appearances for Chelsea during the 2023/24 season, scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists.

His ability to play in multiple positions across the front line makes him an attractive option for Arsenal, who are keen to add depth and versatility to their attacking options.

With his extensive experience at both Liverpool and Manchester City, Sterling brings a wealth of Premier League knowledge to the Gunners.

For Arsenal, the loan arrangement is strategically advantageous. It allows the club to strengthen their squad with a proven talent while retaining flexibility in future transfer windows to pursue longer-term targets.

Sterling’s arrival adds immediate quality to Arsenal’s attack, helping to strengthen the squad as they compete on multiple fronts this season.

Arteta played a pivotal role in Sterling’s development during their time together at Manchester City and the hope is that he can once again find a way to spark the forward.

Under Arteta’s guidance, Sterling flourished, becoming one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers.