Man City and Liverpool to move for Arsenal star if top four dreams fail
Martin Macdonald
- 10 Feb 2022 17:00 GMT
- 5 min read
Premier League leaders Manchester City and Liverpool will both attempt to sign Bukayo Saka from Arsenal if the Gunners fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to a report from ESPN.
The England international has a contract at the Emirates until the summer of 2024 and the club are keen to tie him down to extended terms.
In the new era at Arsenal, Saka has emerged as one of the shining lights at the club along with fellow youngster Emile Smith Rowe.
He is just 20-years-old, but is already one of the first names on the team sheet for Mikel Arteta and seems to be getting better and better.
At the moment, Arsenal have their best opportunity in years to return to the Champions League as they are currently sixth in the table two points adrift of the top four but with a game in hand on Man Utd and two on West Ham.
TRENDING
Saka has already had the most productive season of his career in front of goal despite it only being February.
In 23 starts in all competitions, he has scored seven goals and recorded four assists.
Man CIty and Liverpool believe that Saka could be tempted to move away from Arsenal due to the promise of Champions League football.
At the moment, Arsenal cannot guarantee that season-by-season, which City and Liverpool basically can.
The Gunners also may be forced to cash in on their asset due to how long he has left on his contract.
What has Arteta said about Saka?
Arteta was asked in January about the interest that Saka was generating in the transfer market.
The Spaniard seemed unperturbed by the rumours, and simply stated his content that the reports mean Saka is performing well.
"I think that's great news when you have a lot of talk and people willing [to move] for your players, it's a really good sign," the Arsenal boss said.
"They should be proud because that means they are doing extremely good work.
"I am really happy with Bukayo, and with what he's doing, with how he's developing and the importance he has on the team.
"Most importantly, with the impact that he's able to make in each game.
"This is something that we want to keep improving in each game, because he has the capacity to do it."
