According to the Daily Mail, 18-year-old Arsenal star Bukayo Saka could be set for a stunning move to Premier League rivals Manchester United as his contract runs down. Saka has less than 18-months left on his current deal at Arsenal, and Manchester United are said to be “monitoring the situation”.
Saka broke into the first team last season under then manager Unai Emery, but only made four senior appearances during the season. In terms of Premier League, he managed just one appearance off the bench – playing the last seven minutes in a 4-1 win at home to Fulham.
This season, Bukayo Saka has made 15 games in the Premier League and interestingly, he made his first Premier League start against Manchester United at Old Trafford back in September.
Since then, he’s gone onto become one a star member of the Arsenal first team, playing all up and down the left-hand side. Since Mikel Arteta came into Arsenal, Saka has been a mainstay in the team but has played almost exclusively at left-back.
Arsenal looking to cash Saka?
In terms of attacking output, Saka hasn’t been massively prolific, which I guess is to be expected given that he’s played nine of his 23 senior appearances this season at left-back. He’s yet to score in the Premier League, but has got himself one assist. He has managed to nab a goal in the FA Cup, as well as two in the Europa League.
Given the interest in him, Arsenal are now quickly trying to rectify the contract situation with Saka and they have entered negotiations for a new deal to keep the youngster at the club.
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The Daily Mail report also states that Manchester United aren’t the only side interested in Bukayo Saka. They also mentioned that German giants and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation, as well as Premier League champions elect Liverpool.
The quality Saka has shown, as well as his versatility will make him a very hot prospect across Europe if indeed his services are to become available – particularly on a free transfer.
To be quite honest, I don’t think it will get that far. I’d fully expect Arsenal to wrap up a new deal for Saka by the end of the season, if not sooner. I’d say this story in the Daily Mail has most likely been planted by Bukayo Saka’s agent to panic Arsenal into offering a higher salary or getting the deal done sooner.
That’s the way it is in football these days…
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