MANCHESTER CITY winger Raheem Sterling has revealed he never entertained the offer of joining Arsenal on Deadline Day.
The 22-year-old was linked with a switch to the Emirates in a possible bargaining tool as the Citizens looked to bring Alexis Sanchez to the Etihad. Arsene Wenger enquired over the availability of the ex-Liverpool star, but Pep Guardiola refused to part ways with the England international.
With no possible trade in the pipelines, City launched a £60million offer for the Chilean maestro, which was swiftly rejected.
And speaking ahead of the Champions League group stage clash with Napoli, Sterling told reporters he never paid attention to media speculation regarding his future.
He said: "I didn't need to speak with him (Guardiola), because I had already spoken to him during the summer about pre-season. "I didn't have any negative thoughts or anything bad about it.
"I just woke up one day with England and saw it, and I didn't believe a word of it until I heard something from the manager - then I would believe it.
"It wasn't something I was worried about because Pep is an honest guy, and he would have spoken to me about it before that.
"So, I didn't need to worry about it, and I didn't think about it, not for one minute." Guardiola's decision to keep Sterling in Eastlands has been vindicated, as the Jamaican-born ace has started the season in blistering fashion.
He has already netted on seven occasions in just ten games for City - closing in on his highest tally for a single season - which currently stands at 11 goals.
And Sterling has heaped praise on his manager, he said: "He's been massive for me, especially with the simple stuff.
"He always tries to get you to do the simple stuff at the top level and that is the real genius thing about him. "He makes sure you do the simple things and it works."
And the former Golden Boy winner commented he is no rush to move on from City, he added: "I signed for five years here.
"I've got two-and-a-half years left, and I see myself here and playing my football here under a great manager with a great team."
From The Sun
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