Arsenal are reportedly hoping to try again at convincing Raheem Sterling to swap places with Alexis Sanchez in January.

The Daily Mail claim that if Manchester City come back in for Alexis Sanchez in January, Arsenal will continue to hold out, in the hope of receiving the £45m-rated Sterling in return. By all accounts, I think this is extremely unlikely to happen.

Looking at what we know, Arsenal initially rejected Manchester City’s bid for Alexis Sanchez over the summer, and asked for Sterling to be included in a deal between the two clubs. City didn’t seem keen on the idea, and no deal went through.

Pep Guardiola confirmed that Arsenal wanted to sign Sterling, and he responded: “No chance. Zero Chance. Not one per cent chance we will swap Raz because I trust a lot in him.”

After that, Sterling also confirmed that he didn’t even consider a move, saying: “I didn’t need to speak to him (Guardiola) because I already spoke to him in the summer. I didn’t need to worry about it – didn’t think about it one minute. I signed for five years. I have two and a half years left.”

As the season has progressed, Sterling’s performances have been even more impressive, as he’s scored 10 goals and assisted three in 15 appearances. Arsène Wenger also accused Raheem Sterling of diving after the match between the two clubs, although he did add that he doesn’t blame the winger and his forwards would have done the same thing.

Manchester City are top of the Premier League table and in the Champions League, Arsenal are sixth and in the Europa League. Both teams are still in the League Cup, but I can’t see any reason why anything would’ve changed since deadline day.

Both Guardiola and Sterling have publicly been adamant that there was no chance of a move even then. In my opinion, whether Arsenal are interested or not, Sterling won’t be joining in January.