Arsenal sporting director Edu has admitted that he did not plan to sign Raheem Sterling on transfer deadline day.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool winger moved to the Emirates on loan in the final moments of the window, as the Gunners also saw Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson depart. The north London side were able to strike a deal that is said to see them foot a smaller part of Sterling's wages than Chelsea.
The 29-year-old had been told he was not part of Enzo Maresca's plans this season and was to be kept apart from Chelsea's squad for 2024/25. The England international wanted to remain within the Premier League and turned down a £650,000-a-week offer from Saudi Arabia.
Sterling will bolster Mikel Arteta's options on the wings and ex-Arsenal midfielder Edu believes the player's experience will prove beneficial. The Brazilian highlighted Sterling's Premier League successes as the Gunners look to improve upon finishing runners up last term.
Edu said: "Well to be fair we never planned really to sign him when we started the transfer window, just to be very transparent. For different reasons.
"But we always say to everyone that you have to be prepared for every single scenario. So when that opportunity came to me, and I checked the squad, I checked how he plays, and spoke to Mikel of course. I spoke to Tim, our vice-chairman, to check if everyone is comfortable for the step we are going to take, and it makes a lot of sense.
"Yes, it makes a lot of sense to have someone like him because I’m pretty sure he is going to add a lot in the squad. He has experience, he understands more than anyone the league, he’s played in the Champions League many times. He won the Premier League a few times as well, so I think he can add a lot to our squad and I feel really happy to see someone like him in our squad."
Edu engaged in late conversations with Sterling, but Arsenal's latest addition appeared to need little persuading. The veteran believes it is the perfect move for him.
Sterling said: "It’s an unbelievable feeling. It’s really exciting. I’m buzzing. It’s one where we kind of left it late but it’s one I was hoping for. Looking at everything, I’m just, like, ‘This is a perfect fit for me’, and I’m super happy that we got it over the line.
"I spoke with Edu and I said that it’s something you can see from the outside, you can see the real togetherness from Mikel’s time here and you see the journey that the boys are on, and you can see the hunger, and I keep saying again, the togetherness is something I’m looking to be a part of."