Raheem Sterling says he knew he would not be going to Arsenal

Raheem Sterling has played down rumours he was close to joining Arsenal on deadline day

Raheem Sterling claims he did not give a moment's thought to rumours linking him with a deadline-day move from Manchester City to Arsenal.

The England international was mentioned as a possible bargaining chip when City stepped up their efforts to bring Gunners forward Alexis Sanchez to the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the summer transfer window in August.

But, with manager Pep Guardiola unwilling to let Sterling go, City made only cash offers for Sanchez - eventually up to £60m - and no deal materialised.

It had been reported that Sterling was being considered as part of a swap deal for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez

Sterling has gone on to play a full part in City's superb start to the season and, speaking to the media on Monday ahead of City's Champions League clash with Napoli, he said he never thought he would be part of a player-exchange deal.

"I didn't need to speak with him (Guardiola), because I had already spoken to him during the summer about pre-season," said the England man.

"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."

The in-form Sterling has seven goals to his name this season already and is not interested in a move elsewhere.

"I signed for five years here," he said.

"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."