Unbelievably, an Arsenal player turned down a massive £650k-a-week contract offer from a Saudi Arabian club despite Mikel Arteta pleading with him to stay. An Arsenal player turned down a massive £650k-a-week contract offer from Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window. The player then decided to play for Mikel Arteta in the Premier League instead of accepting the mega-money contract from the Saudi Pro League.
Arsenal spends £91 million during an amazing summer window.
Sporting director Edu Gaspar’s incredible window was capped off with the permanent signings of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford, midfielder Mikel Merino, goalkeeper Neto, and Raheem Sterling. Riccardo Calafiori came from Bologna in a multimillion-pound deal.
Arsenal invested less than £100 million—£91 million, to be precise—on the new players who have significantly bolstered Arteta’s team in anticipation of Man City’s anticipated Premier League title challenge.
Arsenal may have saved their biggest transfer for last when they signed Sterling, the last player to complete a move to Arsenal before Friday night’s 11pm deadline. The 29-year-old, who hasn’t been selected for England since the Three Lions’ 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar, will be looking to force his way back into international contention, and his switch across London could help him do just that after being frozen out by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Two of those deals, for Sterling and Neto, came on deadline day – with loan moves to the Emirates Stadium for both men emerging at the last minute.
“It feels really amazing to be joining Arsenal.” I’m giddy with anticipation. After making a dramatic late transfer to the Gunners, Sterling declared, “This is a perfect fit for me.”
“You see the boys’ journey and their hunger, and as I’ve said before, I want to be a part of that togetherness.”
Following Sterling’s transfer, Arteta has disclosed that Arsenal intends to enlist the former Manchester City player as soon as possible, given the impending away games against City and Tottenham following the international break.
Regarding Sterling’s impending Arsenal debut, Arteta stated, “We have to see him, speak to him (about) what he’s been doing and how he’s feeling about it.”
And look for quick wins so that you can bring him up to speed as soon as possible and help him understand what’s expected of him in terms of team dynamics. We’ll take advantage of that time to accomplish that and involve him as soon as we can.
Before the deal was finalized, there were rumors that Arteta had spoken with Sterling directly about joining Arsenal. Journalist Darren Lewis of The Mirror has since reported that the winger had received a very lucrative offer from another source.
Sterling turned down a Saudi offer to join Arsenal for £650,000 a week.
The reporter claims that Sterling turned down a lucrative £650,000-a-week offer from Saudi Arabia in order to sign with Arsenal, indicating his strong desire to relocate to north London.
If he had stayed in Saudi Arabia for more than two years, the financial package would have more than doubled his current weekly salary of £300,000. Additionally, because of Saudi tax laws, all of the money would have been tax-free.
Any football player, regardless of level, would find such a proposal enticing, which is great news for Arsenal fans because it shows Sterling is committed to proving his mettle under Arteta and helping the Gunners win the league for the first time in 21 years.
