Raheem Sterling turned down a staggering £650,000-a-week offer from an unnamed Saudi Arabian club to join Arsenal on loan from Chelsea. The package would have more than doubled his current £300,000-a-week salary at Chelsea, but the England winger prioritised a move to the Gunners and his ambitions to return to the national team for the 2026 World Cup.
The 29-year-old’s representatives finalised the dramatic late loan move across London on Friday night, making him a key part of Mikel Arteta’s squad. Sterling held out for Arsenal despite the Saudi interest, which was presented to him by Chelsea on Tuesday and Wednesday last week. He refused to be forced into a move that might have ended his England career.
The situation escalated after new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca made it clear Sterling would never play for the club again. Chelsea faced the prospect of paying his £27million-a-year wages for the remaining three years of his contract while he trained alone. Sterling made it clear in showdown talks that Chelsea would need to find him another club or cover the cost.
Sterling, who won four Premier League titles with Manchester City and helped England to the Euro 2020 final, retains his hunger to prove his worth. He joins a list of Chelsea cast-offs, including Kai Havertz and Jorginho, who have thrived elsewhere. Now at Arsenal, he aims to help the club challenge for the title and revitalise his career.
