Raheem Sterling was 'open' to Liverpool transfer return as shock Arsenal twist emerges

Raheem Sterling was reportedly willing to consider a return to Liverpool before his move to Chelsea last summer. However, the Merseyside club showed no interest in re-signing the forward.

Sterling, who previously starred for Manchester City, made the switch to Stamford Bridge after he fell out of Pep Guardiola's preferred line-up at the Etihad, with only a year left on his contract. The England international was brought in by then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel for around £47.5 million, marking him as one of the standout acquisitions of Todd Boehly's tenure.

The Athletic suggested that the 28-year-old would have been 'open' to a reunion with Liverpool, where he spent five years before his contentious departure in 2015, in 2022 but the idea didn't gain traction with the Anfield hierarchy.

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Now, the same outlet claims that Arsenal are advancing on a deal for Sterling, after the winger was told he would not play again for Chelsea's first-team. The England international is reportedly due to join on a season-long loan before this summer's deadline day shuts at 11pm.

Sterling, born in Jamaica, joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers in 2010 and quickly became a sensation, climbing through the ranks at the Reds' Kirkby academy and earning his Premier League debut under Sir Kenny Dalglish in 2012.

After playing a key role in one of the Premier League's most talented forward trios, alongside Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling left Liverpool just 12 months later. His departure came after rejecting a £100,000 per week contract offer, criticising Anfield officials for not attempting to renew his terms earlier.

This, coupled with advice from former agent Aidy Ward, led to a frosty end to Sterling's career with the Reds. During his time at Manchester City, Sterling was often met with boos upon his return to Anfield. Interestingly, his only goal at his former home came in February 2021 when Premier League matches were played behind closed doors.

While Sterling could have been a potential replacement for Sadio Mane, who left for Bayern Munich, Liverpool chose to sign Darwin Nunez from Benfica for a potential club-record fee, which could surpass the amount paid for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.