Romano reveals FINAL Arsenal decision on signing Sterling permanently

Arsenal will not sign Raheem Sterling permanently in the summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The former England international moved from West to North London last year, joining the Gunners on a season-long loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day.

It was an opportunistic move on the part of Mikel Arteta. Sterling was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and the Spanish tactician believed that his experience and possible offensive output could be useful to Arsenal.

READ MORE: Exclusive – Chelsea, Arsenal, Saudis pursue PSG sporting director Luis Campos

Moreover, Chelsea showed themselves willing to continue to shoulder a significant chunk of his salary, making it also a good deal for Arsenal from a financial point of view.

However, the story of the Gunners’ season has been one of disappointment and crushed expectations and this also applies to the signing of Sterling.

Arsenal won’t keep Sterling

The 30-year-old has struggled to have an impact and was briefly sidelined with a knee injury in December and January. Sterling has made just 20 appearances under Arteta to date, notching a measly one goal and two assists – the goal and one of the assists coming against League One side Bolton.

Arsenal did not secure a purchase option or obligation in their loan deal. According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal will, unsurprisingly, not sit down with Chelsea to negotiate a permanent transfer in the summer.

READ MORE: Arsenal’s Plan B summer signing if Zubimendi deal fails

“[Arsenal are] expecting the player to deliver more for the final months of the season, then the expectation is for Sterling to return to Chelsea and not stay at Arsenal next season. That’s the clear feeling internally,” Romano told GIVEMESPORT.

Sterling joined Chelsea for a whopping €56.2 million in 2022, but with the exception of a few purple patches, he never quite managed to reach the level he showed at Man City.

It remains to be seen if the 30-year-old still has a future in the Premier League. He certainly won’t be retained by Arsenal or Chelsea in the summer.