Chelsea outcast Raheem Sterling turned down a staggering £650,000-a-week offer from a Saudi Arabian club to join Arsenal, according to a report.
The 29-year-old attacker opted to move away from Stamford Bridge after being told that he had no future with Chelsea by new Blues boss Enzo Maresca.
Sterling was heavily linked with several clubs from abroad as well as in the Premier League, including the likes of Aston Villa and Manchester United.
It appeared that the Englishman was set to remain at Stamford Bridge on deadline day but he managed to secure a late move across London, joining an Arsenal team that have ambitions of winning their first Premier League title since 2004 this season.
The move also sees Sterling reunite with Mikel Arteta, who he worked with for the majority of his seven-year stint at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City.
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Sterling rejects £650,000-a-week offer to join the Gunners
Sterling joined Arsenal on a season-long loan which does not include an obligation for the Gunners to make his deal permanent at the end of his term at the Emirates.
The Mirror have now revealed that the 29-year-old rejected a stunning £650,000-a-week offer from Saudi Arabia two days before Arsenal made their interest in his services known.
The report adds that Chelsea presented the interest from the unnamed Saudi club to Sterling on Tuesday and Wednesday, but there are indications that the Blues had been in discussions with the Saudi outfit long before making the England international aware of his potential suitors' interest.
It is understood that Sterling opted to hold out for a move to Arsenal, prioritising the chance to help the Gunners secure a Premier League title over accepting an offer worth more than double his current wage.
Sterling is also believed to have chosen the Gunners as he aims to achieve his long-term goal of returning to the England squad and making an impact at the 2026 World Cup.
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Sterling comments on joining Arsenal
Upon arriving at the Emirates Stadium, Sterling was quizzed about his feelings on moving to Arsenal. He said: "It's an unbelievable feeling. It's really exciting. It [the move] is one where we kind of left it late, but it's one I was hoping for.
"Looking at everything, I'm just, like, 'this is a perfect fit for me', and I'm super happy that we got it over the line.
"I spoke with [sporting director] Edu and I said you can see the real togetherness from Mikel's time here and you see the journey the boys are on. You can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I'm looking to be a part of."
Arteta also expressed his happiness in bringing the 29-year-old to North London, insisting that is is a "big step" for the Gunners.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference against Brighton, Arteta said "We are very happy with what we have done and now we will focus on the match. We know his qualities, it's a big step up for us, we have brought a player with a top talent and plenty of experience that hopefully is going to impact the team in a positive way."
Devesh Jaganath
