Arsenal retain an interest in Raheem Sterling, according to reports.

Arsenal had an interest in Sterling during the final days of the transfer window and wanted him as part-exchange for Alexis Sanchez.

According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal still have that interest despite City manager Pep Guardiola claiming there’s no chance of Sterling leaving the club.

“It’s simple. When we spoke with Arsenal in the last days, they wanted to make a swap with Raz,” Guardiola said, as reported by The Daily Mail.

“They talked to me and I said no chance. Zero chance. Not one per cent chance. He’s 22, an English player, a lot to improve.”

Arsenal may feel that City’s inevitable signing of Alexis could force Sterling out of City due to a lack of first team football.

He already faces stiff competition from the likes of Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva, while Guardiola’s use of a 3-5-2 to accommodate Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus in the same team doesn’t have room for Sterling, either.

However, it sounds like Guardiola rates Sterling highly and wants him stay, at least for the season.

With no realistic prospect of Sterling leaving City, you wonder if Arsenal retaining an interest is worth it.

Arsenal are still after Monaco’s Thomas Lemar and despite the ever-increasing transfer fee, they might find him to be a more attainable target.

Sterling missed City’s 5-0 victory over Liverpool yesterday due to suspension. He has two goals this season already.