Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, on Friday said there was “no chance” City would have used Raheem Sterling as part of any deal to sign Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
Arsenal had agreed a £60m deal with City for Sanchez, 28, but it was dependent on them signing Thomas Lemar, who decided to stay at Monaco.
Guardiola said the Gunners had wanted Sterling, 22, as part of the deal for his fellow attacker.
“They talked to me. I said ‘zero chance’,” Guardiola was quoted by the BBC.
“We said we would make a cash offer for Alexis. They accepted but they couldn’t sign the player they wanted, so he stayed at Arsenal.
“Arsenal wanted to make a swap with Raheem. They talked to me and I said no chance. Zero chance. Not 1% chance to make a swap with Sanchez and Raheem.
“He is 22 years old. He is English. He has a lot of improvement to do.
Sterling has made three appearances for City so far this season, scoring twice.
He was sent off for celebrating his late winner at Bournemouth before playing twice for England during the international break.
In the transfer window, City winger Raheem Sterling was proposed as part of a swap deal involving Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez.
In the end, a £60m cash deal with City was agreed but it depended on the Gunners signing midfielder Thomas Lemar, who decided to stay with Monaco.
