Arsenal eye Chelsea star as possible Mudryk alternative

Robin Bairner

• 18 Jan 2023 07:55 GMT
• 10 min read

Chelsea’s transfer hijack of Mykhailo Mudryk from Arsenal has led to questions over what lies in the immediate future for a string of first-team stars - but also who the Gunners might sign as a January alternative to bolster their Premier League title hopes.

The Blues have accumulated an impressive stockpile of attacking midfielders, despite being light of a proven centre-forward, and the arrival of Mudryk for a fee that could rise to €100 million is a clear sign that they are ready to put their faith in the Ukraine international.

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But while the stock in the 22-year-old is high, it means that others will suffer, and in this case it is widely believed that Raheem Sterling will be pushed out of the Stamford Bridge club.

Indeed, Fichajes reports that manager Graham Potter is more willing to offload the England international than Christian Pulisic.

Given that Sterling has been used as a wing-back at times by the new Blues manager, that should perhaps not come as too great a surprise – yet the club at which the former Manchester City player, who only signed for Chelsea this summer in a deal worth €56 million is being linked to perhaps should.

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Arsenal in surprise Sterling transfer link

Arsenal are reportedly ready to make Sterling, who is under contract with Chelsea until 2027, a possible January transfer window target. It is a link that had previously surfaced as recently as the summer, with Arteta already having a relationship with the player from their time at Manchester City.

Certainly, it is known that the Gunners are seeking to add another attacking midfielder to their ranks, and to that end Sterling would fit the bill.

However, his age profile goes against that which Mikel Arteta has been eager to get in this squad. Sterling is 28, which puts him in a very different part of his career than the up-and-coming Mudryk, who they missed out on to Chelsea.

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Another stumbling block is liable to be a transfer fee, with Arsenal likely to be unwilling to spend big on a player who was not their top target.

A loan option is now available to the Gunners. Premier League clubs cannot loan a player to another Premier League club in the same transfer window he signed, but as Sterling was added in the summer, this rule no longer applies.

It seems doubtful, though, that Chelsea would be willing to lend a player to Arsenal, their greatest rivals, who might help them win the Premier League.