Manchester City Transfer News: Pep Guardiola Talks Raheem Sterling Rumours

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said there was never a chance of Raheem Sterling joining Arsenal in the summer.

John Cross of the Daily Mirror reported late in the previous transfer window that City were ready to offer the forward to the Gunners in an attempt to get Alexis Sanchez in return. Both players ended up staying at their clubs.

When asked about the speculation, Guardiola revealed Arsenal were interested in Sterling but that there was never any chance of the Etihad Stadium club letting him go.

"We were clear when ­Arsenal wanted him—we said, 'no, that's not going to happen'," he said, per John Richardson and Darren Wells of the Daily Mirror. "He's still young and we hope to make him happy so that he can stay for longer."

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

According to Sky Sports News, City have been so impressed with Sterling's beginning to the 2017-18 campaign that they are ready to open talks with him over a new contract.

As the City Watch Twitter account noted, the England international's goalscoring exploits this season have been seriously impressive:

After the arrival of players like Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane and Bernardo Silva in recent transfer windows, there were some questions asked about where Sterling fitted into the City side ahead of this term.

However, the former Liverpool man has shown his worth, providing his side with a vibrant threat on the right flank. Sterling's movement, pace and improved decision-making have been the catalysts behind his upturn in fortune in front of goal.

Additionally, he's assumed a talismanic role for his side. He's netted two late winners in City's past two games, and they are not the only matches in which Sterling has won crucial points:

Having arrived from Liverpool for an initial £44 million in the summer of 2015, Sterling's first two seasons at the Etihad Stadium were blighted by inconsistency.

There were signs late last term he was beginning to find his best under Guardiola, and he's kicked on spectacularly early in this campaign. Sterling has benefitted from having a settled central midfielder next to him in Kevin De Bruyne. Behind him, Kyle Walker occupies plenty of attention from defenders.

OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

As Daniel Storey of Football365 noted, the 22-year-old has been heavily criticised by sections of the media in the past:

Perhaps that was another thing holding Sterling back, as it's easy to forget he's still young. But under Guardiola, he appears to have matured as a player and as a person.

When Sterling was linked with Arsenal in the summer, some City fans may have shrugged their shoulders, especially if he were to leave as part of a deal for Sanchez. But with the England international performing to such a high standard, Cityzens will be glad the Gunners didn't push harder to get this one over the line.