Former Arsenal midfielder Liam Brady has revealed that the club missed out on Raheem Sterling prior to the winger's move to Liverpool.
The Irishman, who has worked as Arsenal's academy boss, also explained that Dwight Gayle was let go by the Gunners before signing on at Crystal Palace.
"In recent times, I think I could have got Raheem Sterling if I'd really gone for him," Brady told the Irish Examiner. "I didn't go through with that one. Players we don't keep often go on and have a good career in the game.
"It isn't an end. OK, he's leaving Arsenal, but clubs are always ringing us, saying: 'Well, tell us about this fella, and give me a list of the lads who are leaving.' That isn't said to soften the blow for the lad, that's the truth. Within weeks, these lads have moved to another academy.
"I saw a kid recently, Lewis Grabban. Norwich have paid around £3 million to Bournemouth for him - I let that kid go when he was 14. Dwight Gayle, who is playing for Crystal Palace, we let him go too; he cost Palace a couple of million."
Stirling, 19, has made a name for himself on and off the pitch, with the attacker recently laughing off suggestions that he has eight children.
Phil Archbold
