Arsenal ‘explored late move’ for surprise Sterling alternative

Arsenal considered a late swoop for Bryan Mbeumo during the final stages of the summer window, according to a report.

It was no secret that Mikel Arteta wanted to bolster his attacking options in the bygone transfer period. The tactician had identified the wings and the centre-forward spot as areas to be bolstered.

Top targets included the likes of Nico Williams, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, but Arsenal ultimately managed to land none of them. Instead, Raheem Sterling arrived in an 11th-hour loan deal from Chelsea after the Gunners successfully submitted a dealsheet in the dying embers of Deadline Day.

READ MORE: Arsenal given Sesko opportunity as new price tag already set

It was a deal the north London side felt was too good to pass up and, indeed, it was probably the best possible transfer from a financial point of view, with Chelsea now essentially paying Sterling to play for Arsenal.

However, Sterling was not the only wide player under consideration.

Arsenal wanted Mbeumo

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal explored a late move for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo before ultimately landing Sterling. The Cameroon international has been a brilliant servant to the Bees and this hasn’t gone unnoticed at the Emirates.

Arsenal were also offered the services of Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman, who had been made available for transfer. However, his hefty wages and injury record always made a move unlikely despite the seemingly inevitable links.

READ MORE: €100m striker admits he wants Arsenal move

As for Mbeumo, he would have certainly cost Arsenal a pretty penny. Given that Brentford lost Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli on Deadline Day, they would have demanded a significant premium on the 25-year-old if not outright telling their counterparts that he wasn’t for sale.

In the end, Arsenal probably got a better deal from an economic point of view by snapping up Sterling, though Mbeumo would undoubtedly have been an intriguing signing for an elite Premier League side.