Manchester City shut down Arsenal’s Sterling enquiry, says Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Arsenal asked for Raheem Sterling to be included in a deal for Alexis Sanchez but the Manchester City manager categorically ruled out the forward’s inclusion.

City were heavily linked with a move for Sanchez throughout the summer but were only interested in agreeing a cash deal for the Chile international.

Guardiola’s side reportedly agreed a £60m fee with Arsenal on deadline day only for the move to collapse after the Gunners ran out of time to sign a replacement.

There were conflicting reports whether City had offered Sterling as a make weight for Sanchez or whether the Gunners requested the 22-year-old, but Guardiola have now revealed Arsenal failed in their attempts to sign the England international.

“It’s simple, when we spoke with Arsenal in the last days, they wanted to make a swap with Raz [Sterling],” ESPN quote Guardiola as saying at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“They talked to me and I said no chance. Zero chance. Not one percent chance. He’s 22, an English player, a lot to improve. We only made an offer with cash, they accepted but [we] couldn’t sign their player.”

Sterling has endured a mixed start to the season after being sent off against Bournemouth before the international break. He was also hooked at half-time during England’s drab 4-0 win over Malta last week.

However, the City No.7 was voted the club’s player of the month for August after scoring two goals despite only starting one of their opening three league matches.

In the last five Premier League campaigns, only Jamie Vardy (10) has been awarded more penalties than Sterling (8).