Arsenal Transfer News: Raheem Sterling reveals reaction to Alexis Sanchez swap proposal

RAHEEM STERLING says he ignored speculation linking him to Arsenal this summer when reading about it on international duty.

Arsenal transfer news Raheem Sterling Man CityGETTY

Manchester City offered Raheem Sterling to Arsenal in the summer

Sterling was linked with a shock move to Arsenal in the dying days of the transfer window.

Manchester City were said to have offered him up to the Gunners as part of a deal to sign Alexis Sanchez.

Sterling was a £47million arrival from Liverpool just two years ago.

But the winger insists he thought nothing of the proposed Emirates switch when hearing of the link.

Asked if he had words with City manager Pep Guardiola, Sterling said: “I didn’t need to speak with him because i’d already spoke in summer about pre season.

Raheem Sterling Manchester CityGETTY

Raheem Sterling says he refused to consider a move to Arsenal

I didn’t have any negative thoughts

Sterling on the transfer window

“I didn’t have any negative thoughts.

“I just woke up one day with England, saw it and didn’t believe a word of it.”

Arsenal ended up keeping Sanchez - although the player is a long way off signing a new contract at the club - while Sterling remained at the Etihad.

It has not been the smoothest of rides for Sterling since he moved to from Liverpool in 2015.

The winger was criticised for what many deemed were lightweight performances in the aftermath of his controversial transfer.

But Sterling says he’s learned to deal with the criticism.

“To be fair, my first year here being really young I used to always be on Instagram,” he said.

Raheem Sterling Alexis Sanchez Arsenal Man CityGETTY

Man City's proposal would have seen Arsenal swap Alexis Sanchez for Raheem Sterling (right)

Chelsea's Eden Hazard mocks Raheem Sterling in training

“You’ll see stuff pop up and you’ll check it out because you didn’t know any better.

“Since I was getting negative comments, I’ve learned not to look at it.”

He scored the winner in the before deadline day, which arguably made a point to Guardiola not to let him go.

Sterling is set to play for City against Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday.

And asked if his goal against the Cherries ignited City’s season, Sterling said: “Yeah, it was a massive performance from the boys.

“It was a bit disappointing at half time having conceded but we bounced back really well and continued to show our great character. It’s a credit to the boys.”

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