Wenger: I won't lie over Sterling bid

With the forward set to tell Liverpool on Friday that he wants to leave Anfield, the Gunners boss is refusing to be drawn on transfer targets before the season ends

Arsene Wenger kept his cards close to his chest when asked about a potential Arsenal bid for wantaway Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling.

Goal understands that the England international will inform Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre on Friday that he wants to leave Anfield this summer.

Sterling publicly addressed interest from Arsenal in April, describing himself as “flattered” to be linked with the club, while Wenger replied by insisting he has no room to accommodate the player in his squad.

When asked about interest in Sterling, Wenger told reporters: “I will bid for people yes, but at the moment we are not in transfer mode at all. I don’t like to lie. If I say I will and I don’t do it, you will say I lied.”

Liverpool have drawn up a list of possible replacements for Sterling – one of whom is Arsenal winger Theo Walcott – while Manchester City remain keen on the 20-year-old after holding a long-standing interest.

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