Raheem Sterling Joins Arsenal for Last-Minute Transfer Deal

Raheem Sterling has arrived at Arsenal's training base as the club attempt to strike a late loan agreement with Chelsea.

The winger is close to wrapping up a late transfer window move to the Emirates Stadium after being frozen out of the Blues' first-team setup.

Chelsea went as far as to stripping Sterling of his number and handing it to long-term replacement Pedro Neto following his signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Several reports claim Sterling is now closing in on a loan move to Arsenal, where he will reunite with Mikel Arteta having previously worked with the Spaniard when he was an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Sterling will become the Gunners' fourth notable signing of the summer transfer window. The club made David Raya's loan move from Brentford permanent, while defender Riccardo Calafiori and midfielder Mikel Merino have also been added to the squad.

In recent days, reports suggested Arsenal had entered the market for a winger, with Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman an option, but they have moved to bring in Sterling instead.

Even if Arsenal get Sterling over the line tonight, he will not be eligible to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday having missed the Premier League's registration deadline for gameweek three. Instead, he will be in line to make his debut away at north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur after the international break.

Sterling has not been called into the England squad, so he will be able to train with Arteta and other first-teamers during the international window.