Liverpool have told Arsenal they will allow Raheem Sterling to join them this summer, but they want England duo Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs as part of any deal.
ESPN’s Miguel Delaney writes that “sources close to the deal” (motor mouth Aidy Ward perhaps?) have told ESPN that it was the Reds who instigated the swap discussion, which represents a change in policy from FSG who steadfastly refused to do business with the Gunners when they wanted Luis Suarez two summers ago.
Sterling is not Suarez however, and it would appear that the Reds will allow him to go to whoever makes the best offer. It was claimed last week that Arsenal had made an offer of Walcott plus £20m that was given short shrift by Liverpool, but the boyhood Liverpool fan appears to be a good fit for Brendan Rodgers as he can play anywhere across the front three.
Walcott enjoyed a fine end to the season at Arsenal, hitting a hat-trick in their final league game and then finding the net in the FA Cup final a week later. He has one year remaining on his contract and is stalling on a new deal due to concerns over playing time. The big knock against him is his fitness record that in recent years has made Daniel Sturridge look like Iron Man.
Gibbs has lost his starting place to Nacho Monreal but with Liverpool in desperate need of new full backs he might be able to solve the left back problem without eating into the transfer budget.
These swap deals rarely come off but in this case it might suit both parties.
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