Arsenal turned down the chance to sign Raheem Sterling as a youngster, Liam Brady admits

England winger eventually moved to Liverpool in 2010

Raheem Sterling in action during the recent World Cup for England (PA)

Arsenal blew their chance to sign Raheem Sterling, it has been revealed.

Former Gunners academy director Liam Brady told the Irish Examiner that he passed up on the opportunity to buy the current England international before he moved to Liverpool in 2010.

"In recent times, I think I could have got Raheem Sterling if I'd really gone for him, but I didn't go through with that one," Brady said.

Liverpool would eventually sign the winger for £600,000 in February 2010.

Brady said it was "very difficult" to tell if young players would have a future at Arsenal, and spoke of players such as Crystal Palace's Dwight Gayle, who the club let go at a young age.

"Players we don't keep often go on and have a good career in the game. It isn't an end - okay, 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 £3m 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."