Mikel Arteta drops Arsenal transfer hint over England star he helped to mould

Mikel Arteta has not spoken to Raheem Sterling since the England international was frozen out at Chelsea but the Arsenal manager has “a strong feeling” towards his former mentee.

Sterling and Arteta built a strong relationship when the Gunners boss worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City from summer 2016 to when he took on the Emirates Stadium post at the end of 2019.

The 29-year-old was a star performer as City won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2017/18 and 2018/19, rounding off the latter campaign with two goals in a 6-0 FA Cup final demolition of Watford thatr wrapped up an unprecedented domestic treble.

It’s a far cry from Sterling’s struggles at Stamford Bridge, where he appeared to have run out of road after being axed from Enzo Maresca’s first-team plans.

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The Guardian reported Aston Villa have an interest in the one-time Liverpool forward, while The Daily Mail claims Crystal Palace would like to take Sterling to south east London.

Arsenal’s need is not as great but Arteta spoke warmly of Sterling when his future was raised at his press conference on Friday — something that could set tongues wagging about a swoop during the final week of the transfer window.

Asked whether he had called Sterling to discuss his present ordeal, Arteta replied: “No, but I can talk about my time with Raheem. It was exceptional.

“We built a really strong relationship together. He was unbelievable at the time we were together and he taught me a lot as well. About individuals, how they play and how we give them support and help them.

“He’s someone I have a really strong feeling about.”