Both Liverpool and Manchester City have registered an interest in Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka, according to reports from the Mail.
The England international came through the academy at Arsenal, and has been a fixture in the first team under Mikel Arteta.
He has a contract until 2023 with a clause for another year (which Arsenal will definitely trigger), so would be an expensive asset to prize away from the Emirates.
But if the interest from England’s two biggest hitters is genuine, it will be a hard one for Saka to ignore.
He’s been essential to the Gunners since Arteta’s arrival, scoring 23 goals in 131 matches for the North London side.
This season was his best to date, scoring 12 goals and providing seven for his teammates in 43 appearances.
Liverpool have a long-held interest in Saka since his last renewal with Arsenal in 2020, when the Reds looked to poach him on a free transfer.
The interest from the Reds and their nemeses in Blue will certainly put a stall in his contract negotiations.
It is thought Saka’s contract would be key for Arsenal this summer to reflect his grown status for club and country.
Initial discussions had taken place towards the end of the season with the Gunners keen to avoid allowing Saka's contract to run into its final two years.
However, Arsenal were aware of the impact Champions League qualification would have on their summer plans, including finalising a new agreement for Saka who is yet to play in Europe's top club competition.
That, of course, was complicated by their fiercest rivals Tottenham, who pipped them to the Champions League places after a disappointing end to the campaign.
Saka’s near-future will almost definitely be at the Emirates - but with the sharks of the big two circling, it remains unknown how much longer Arsenal will be his home.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Bukayo Saka, Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Arsenal
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