Arsenal have received a potential boost in their efforts to sign Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling after new Barcelona manager Xavi tore up the club's previous transfer plans.
Multiple reports have claimed Mikel Arteta is eager to set up a reunion with the 26-year-old, having coached Sterling while part of Pep Guardiola's backroom staff at the Etihad.
Sterling was a huge part of Guardiola's early success at City but has become a peripheral figure this season, starting just three Premier League matches.
As a result, the Euro 2020 star has grown frustrated and is said to be considering a move away either in the January or summer transfer window.
His displays at the summer tournament encouraged Jose Mourinho to heap praise on Sterling.
“He (Sterling) did amazing for City, last season was not amazing for him but the two seasons before, he plays wide, he plays centre-forward," he said on talkSPORT.
Barcelona appeared to have an advantage in the race to sign the winger, with the Liverpool academy graduate reportedly open to a move abroad.
However, Xavi's appointment as manager of the Catalan giants has resulted in a change of transfer policy.
The 41-year-old has asked the club to ditch their previous plans for the winter window, AS report, as he performs a full assessment of the players at his disposal first.
Xavi is also said to be eager to prioritise the burgeoning talents coming through the famous La Masia academy, a route the midfielder took to the first-team, and has already started to run the rule over the youngsters.
As a result of this change in approach, Arsenal may now have an uncontested path to sign Sterling. Whether that happens in January or not remains to be seen.
It is likely that, if Sterling is to leave, he would join a club competing in the Champions League, so a move to the Emirates may be viewed as a risk.
But Sunday's 1-0 win against Watford moved the Gunners up to fifth in the Premier League table and within just two points of Liverpool.
