Arsenal Transfer News: Raheem Sterling Tipped for Gunners, Mario Gotze Rumours

Raheem Sterling has been advised not to pursue a move to Manchester City by ex-England international Paul Parker, who believes he should move to Arsenal instead, while the Gunners are ready to move for Mario Gotze.

Former Manchester United and Three Lions right-back Parker wrote for Eurosport on Tuesday, proclaiming it would be "a big mistake" for Sterling to move to the Etihad Stadium.

He added that an Anfield stay could also be wise:

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I think he is making a big mistake if he does move to Etihad Stadium. City just isn’t the right club for him. If you look at everything, Liverpool and Manchester City, as a young player there is only one club you should want to be playing for, and that’s Liverpool because of what they have achieved and what they are, and if you do go on to succeed there, the status that will give a player. ...

I just don’t see this reported move as a forward step and for me the best club he could have gone to was Arsenal. I just feel he could learn more playing in a side like that, and from a patient manager who was proved himself (sic) with younger players, whereas Manuel Pellegrini hasn’t got as much time to waste. The City boss has to hit the ground running next season and the problem is that production-wise there isn’t a lot there.

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Manchester City have already seen two bids for the England wide man rejected, the latest of which was believed to be in the region of £40 million.

However, the Independent's Simon Rice claimed that a £50 million move could still be completed this summer, as the Citizens look to rejuvenate an ageing squad following their unsuccessful Premier League title defence.

Darko Bandic/Associated Press

Arsenal incumbent Theo Walcott will see his deal at the Emirates Stadium expire next summer and is believed to be in negotiations with the club regarding an extension.

The Gunners may well keep their eye on Sterling's situation until then, as the Liverpool starlet was this week ranked as Europe's most valuable youngster by the Soccerex 20 Football Value Index, via the Press Association:

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Raheem Sterling has been named in the most valuable young player in Europe according to a study. Here are the others: pic.twitter.com/XgFt6lTn89

— PA Dugout (@PA_dugout) July 7, 2015"

It's unlikely Arsenal would be able to match the Citizens in a head-to-head transfer battle and would therefore need to convince Sterling that a north London switch was in his best interests.

The 20-year-old has further incentives to join City, too, as the Telegraph revealed this week that Sterling would pocket £4 million of his agent's fee should he accept a Manchester move:

Sterling has made 129 appearances for Liverpool since earning his senior debut in 2012 and has quickly ascended to become one of Brendan Rodgers' most treasured assets. However, a summer exit looks plausible.

Or at least Bleacher Report's Andy Brassell seems to think so, stating it's "just a matter of money" in determining how the prodigious speedster will part ways with the Reds:

Gunners chief Arsene Wenger would seem equipped to offer the player first-team opportunities given his track record with young talent, but Sterling may be seeking a more established, title-contending destination.

Arsenal Join Hunt For Disgruntled Gotze

Having been linked with the playmaker dating back to his days at Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal have joined the race to sign Bayern Munich's Gotze this summer following his fallout with the club.

Pool/Getty Images

The Telegraph reported that Wenger's side are looking to contend against Manchester United for Gotze's signature amid speculation that the player feels underappreciated at the Allianz Arena.

Gotze's agent, Volker Struth, spoke to German newspaper Bild (via Goal's SW Lim) this week, alleging that Bayern Munich chief Pep Guardiola had "destroyed Gotze" and calling for change among their hierarchy:

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Guardiola has destroyed Gotze. He feels like the coach doesn't have faith in him and yet still he is asked to be decisive when he gets on the pitch. I'm surprised that Guardiola didn't use Gotze in important matches like the German Cup and Champions League semi-finals. He only plays in the easy games.

I wonder why no one at the club has realised that and defended Mario. Bayern need a figure like former president Uli Hoeness again.

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Gotze has been linked with a move to north London in the past, but the Gunners would certainly have a better shot at stealing the puppeteer's services now should his frustrations in Bavaria prove genuine.

Speaking to German television station TZ (via Goal's Stefan Coerts) this week, Bayern icon Franz Beckenbauer defended the club's use of Gotze since his 2013 arrival and challenged the player to rise against any supposed adversity:

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I don't know whether Mario is lacking support at Bayern. He could not have had a better team around him than here at Bayern in the past two seasons. I don't know what kind of support he would need. The player himself is responsible for his own performances.

If he wants to succeed at Bayern and really make an impact in his third season, he might have to change his game. He has to do more, especially in the one-on-ones. You have to offer more at this level.

"

It's unclear as to where Gotze would even fit in at the Emirates, as Wenger already has the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez lined up as his creative weapons.

That being said, Gotze's supposed availability is a chance not many clubs would be quick to pass up, and Wenger may find room for the 23-year-old if the chance to acquire his services should indeed arise.