Arsenal To 'Accelerate' Bukayo Saka Contract Talks Amid Possible Manchester City Interest

Arsenal are trying to agree on a new deal with Bukayo Saka following Manchester City’s sale of forward Raheem Sterling.

The new deal, which the Gunners are set to offer Saka, has the potential to make him one of their top earners.

Even if the North London side aren’t able to get a complete deal in place now, they have time, as Saka’s contract doesn’t end until the conclusion of the 2023-24 season.

The speculation comes a month after rumors of Manchester City interest in the Arsenal youngster; though this speculation was quickly dispelled by the club.

#ManCity have distanced themselves from reports that they are considering a move for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. The forward is not in their plans for this or subsequent transfer windows.

[via @spbajko]

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) June 7, 2022

Yet, following Sterling’s departure to Stamford Bridge, there is an opportunity for an additional forward, who would preferably be a winger.

Sami Mokbel claims that the Premier League Champions have identified the 20 year-old as their number one, long-term target, to replace Sterling.

At the Emirates, Saka has 26 direct goal involvements in the Premier League since becoming a regular starter in the 2020/21 season.

Pep Guardiola's interest in the England international could 'add a layer of complication' to the Gunners' hopes of tying the forward to a new long-term deal at the Emirates Stadium, reports SportsMail.

Arsenal agonisingly missed out on Champions League football for the forthcoming season, and despite that being considered a blow to the London sides hopes of agreeing a new contract with Saka, hope remains in North London that the 20 year-old can be 'persuaded' to sign a new contract.

The Sky Blues would have money to spend following the recent £47.5 million sale of Sterling to Chelsea.

They could have even more funds available, if Arsenal can complete a deal for Ukrainian Captain and Manchester City full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is closing in on a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal and #ManCity have now reached a verbal agreement in principle for Oleksandr Zinchenko, with the transfer fee around £30M. Personal terms are still being discussed.

[via @FabrizioRomano]

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) July 16, 2022

Zinchenko would become the second Blues player to be reunited with Mikel Arteta this summer, after Gabriel Jesus completed a £45 million transfer earlier this month.

Guardiola's side are set to target a left-back during the remainder of the transfer window, having already signed two new strikers, a midfielder and a goalkeeper.

Erling Haaland moved to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund, while Stefan Ortega also completed a transfer from the Bundesliga to the Premier League.

The Cityzens also added Kalvin Phillips to their squad, with the Englishman transfering from Leeds United for £42 million.

Any sale of Bukayo Saka is 'highly unlikely' to be considered by Arsenal this summer.