Manchester City and Liverpool are keeping a close eye on the situation of Bukayo Saka at Arsenal
Saka has enjoyed a superb rise to prominence in the last few years and has established himself as an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side, starting all but two of the Gunners Premier League games this season, netting 11 goals and providing seven assists.
According to the Mail, his form and influence for Arsenal and England has drawn admiring glances from the Premier League’s best clubs, with Man City and Liverpool both interested.
The report says that Manchester City have ‘stepped up their interest’ in the 20-year-old and are now ‘closely monitoring developments regarding Saka’s future’.
Saka currently has two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates and is in talks over a new deal.
However, the Gunners’ failure to qualify for the Champions League this season – a competition in which Saka is yet to play – could have an impact on Arsenal’s ability to strengthen.
The report does concede that any move for Saka this summer is ‘unlikely’ with City and Liverpool both having other transfer priorities, particularly in midfield, but both sides are said to be keeping a close eye on developments with Saka’s contract situation should a new deal not be signed.
Gabriel Jesus is expected to leave City this summer, with Arsenal one of the sides linked, while Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez both have just a year remaining on their contract at the Etihad, with Saka potentially being viewed as a potential replacement.
As for Liverpool, Saka could be being eyed as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian having failed to agree to a new deal and so far also out-of-contract in 12 months time.
Arsenal will be hoping that their summer recruitment and subsequent on-field improvements next season will be enough to convince the England international to put pen to paper on a new deal.