Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has admitted that he could be ‘open’ to a move away from the Etihad Stadium amid rumours linking him with a transfer to Arsenal.
The England winger was strongly associated with the Gunners throughout the summer transfer window, with previous reports suggesting that City boss Pep Guardiola was happy to see him, alongside Riyad Mahrez, depart the club.
Arsenal emerged as one of the most likely candidates for his signature at the time but in the end a move did not transpire.
That decision has not necessarily been for the benefit of his career, however, with Sterling having made just four starts in all competitions for the reigning Premier League champions.
He has admitted that he would potentially consider a switch away from his current employers in an effort to earn more game time and would be tempted by a move abroad.
Talking to FT Business of Sport US Summit, Sterling said: "If there was the opportunity to go somewhere else for more game time I would be open to it at this moment in time.
"As I said, football is the most important thing to me — challenges that I have set myself from a young age and dreams as well.
"As an English player, all I know is the Premier League and I’ve always thought maybe one day I’d love to play abroad to see how I would come up against that challenge."
A decision certainly needs to be made on the Manchester City man’s future sooner rather than later. He has just under two years remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium.
The 26-year-old has reiterated that his priority at the current time is finding somewhere he will be played regularly and feels comfortable.
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He continued: "From being a young child, football has been the most important thing in my life, my most happiest I should say.
"When I play football that is where I get my happiness from. And of course with family as well but football for me has a special place in my heart.
"With everything that comes with football, money, being able to do nice things, at the end of the day, if football for me is not at a certain standard I’m not really at my happiest.
"If I want my happiness at a certain level I need to be playing football. I need to be scoring goals and enjoying myself."
