Could Arsenal be about to take advantage of a Liverpool contract issue?

Over recent days, reports have been doing the rounds suggesting that Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling will turn down their latest contract offer and will be sold this summer to either Arsenal or Manchester City.

The reports in themselves strongly mirror Theo Walcott’s situation and his contract problems a couple of years ago – especially as Liverpool were mentioned as the club that wanted to take advantage of that situation at the time.

Raheem Sterling of England
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 27: Raheem Sterling of England controls the ball during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between England and Lithuania at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

This time around though, both Arsenal and Manchester City are linked, but whilst it would be surprise if Arsenal weren’t interested, Manchester City were said to be considering a £50m move for Sterling long before news of his contract talks breaking down emerged.

Sterling won’t be cheap. That much is obvious.

City however are in desperate need of homegrown talent and because of that Sterling fits the bill and they would pay Liverpool handsomely for his signature.

As far as Arsenal are concerned, could a deal be on the cards between Walcott and Sterling?

Swap deals very rarely work out, but with both clubs having a player that the other wants then that could well help push a move forward – however unlikely it may be.

I don’t think there is any question that Sterling would be a great signing and massive coup for Arsenal.

However I can’t see any way that Walcott wouldn’t be sacrificed to make the deal happen – whether that involves selling him to Liverpool or someone else.

Manchester City are definitely the front-runners in this one though.