Liverpool and Man City 'plotting Bukayo Saka bid' if Arsenal fail to make top four

Posted Saturday, February 05, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

Arsenal midfielder Bukayo Saka is a reported target for Premier League champions Manchester City and rivals Liverpool if the Gunners fail to quality for the Champions League this season

Liverpool and Manchester City are reportedly keeping tabs on Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and could try and tempt him away from the Emirates if the Gunners miss out on the Champions League.

The 20-year-old has established himself as one of Mikel Arteta's key players since first breaking into the side at the start of the 2019-20 season.

His form, which has already seen him find the back of the net more times than he did last season and match his number of assists, has caught the attention of some of the Premier League's big fish.

According to ESPN, defending champions Man City and Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool are both interested in Saka, whose contract in north London still has two years left to run.

Liverpool and Man City 'plotting Bukayo Saka bid' if Arsenal fail to make top four
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is a target for Manchester City and Liverpool, according to reports

Both clubs would be in a strong position to make a move should Arsenal miss out on the Champions League by failing to finish in the top four.

The Gunners haven't played in Europe's premier club competition since 2017 and have a real fight on their hands if they want to rejoin the game's elite this season.

Arteta's side are two points adrift of Manchester United in fourth in the race for the final Champions League spot, but crucially have played fewer games than those around them in the table, apart from Tottenham.

Saka has been a big part of their recent revival, and although his contract is up in the summer of 2024, Arsenal are looking to tie him down to a new deal.

Liverpool and Man City 'plotting Bukayo Saka bid' if Arsenal fail to make top four
Saka has been one of Arsenal's best players this season

It is understood that giving the England international a new deal is one of the club's top priorities as they look to build for the future.

City boss Pep Guardiola has spoken highly of Saka in the past.

Speaking after their 1-0 win over Arsenal in February last year, Guardiola said: With [Martin] Odegaard and especially with Saka they are a really tough opponent to play.

"They have incredible young, talented players and I see a bright, bright future for Arsenal."

Gunners fans and the club's hierarchy will be hoping that bright future includes Saka.