Arsenal are ramping up their efforts to tie down Bukayo Saka to a long term deal amid Manchester City pressure, reports Sami Mokbel.
The Gunners have had a positive transfer window so far, bringing in the likes of Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus and closing in on versatile fullback Oleksandr Zinchenko.
However, the most important piece of business that Arteta and co. to have to push over the line is the extension of their talismanic winger, Bukayo Saka.
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The 20-year-old has carried the attacking burden for the Gunners having barely escaped his teenage years, and will be looking for a show of faith from the board in return.
Saka’s rise has been meteoric since bending in his first goal in the famous red and white against Frankfurt in 2019.
The Little Chilli’s progress has been noted the world over, reaching as far as South America with Brazil boss Tite labelling Saka the “type of player you can never control”
Guardiola appears to agree with his managerial compatriot, eyeing up the Gunners no.7 as the heir to the vacancy left by Raheem Sterling’s departure to Chelsea.
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Arteta will be hopeful he can convince Saka he need not take the route Sterling took at his age, leaving a club in rebuild, Liverpool, for the finished project in Manchester.
From Saka’s side, there’s no indication that he’s anything other than happy at the Emirates.
The youngster is playing the best football of his career, for the club he’s been at since 7 years old.
Project rebuild is undergoing its largest evolution yet as the Kroenke’s continue to invest in signings.
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That will no doubt encourage Saka that the club is heading in the right direction.
There is a clear strategy for the future of the club, and the 20-year-old is the lynch pin of future success.
The ultra reliable Fabrizio Romano has reported that the contract extension is a “priority” for the club, with “Saka happy with the project”.
For now, all current indications are that the Hale End graduate will extend his deal.
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But until he signs on the dotted line, nervous murmurs will echo around N5.
Topics: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal
Jake Lennard