Manchester City circle Bukayo Saka as Sterling’s replacement

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By Martin Graham | 23rd Sep 2022

Rumours are rife that Manchester City are keen to sign Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka. The winger has an Arsenal contract that expires in 2024.

Arsenal are enjoying one hell of a ride this season. No one gave the Gunners any chance of doing anything beyond attempting to finish in the top four, but the north London side is confounding its doubters. Arsenal is at the forefront of the challenge for the title as they sit top of the table, ahead of defending champions Manchester City.

The Gunners have only lost one game – a sinister 3-1 loss to Manchester United, yet the confidence is high in their ranks. They have won games they ordinarily would have lost, which has caused many to take notice of the side Mikel Arteta is building.

The rising profile of a once great side means their players are also hugging the limelight. A few players that have shone this season are Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka. The latter has attracted the attention of several top clubs, and rumours are rife that the Nigerian-born English player could soon turn out for the Citizens.

All eyes are on Saka

Bukayo Saka is setting the Premier League alight and has left the Super Eagles wondering what might have been if he had turned out for Nigeria. Saka is one of the leaders of a new Arsenal punching above their weight and looking to do what the club has failed to do in recent years. The Gunners are not just challenging for the top four but want to win the Premier League. While at it, they have the additional challenge of keeping the hawks at bay.

Premier League champions Manchester City are among the sides interested in landing the winger. With Raheem Sterling off to Chelsea this summer and Jack Grealish not carrying his weight in gold, Saka is an ideal replacement for Sterling. Arsenal walks a tightrope as Saka has a contract that expires in 2024.

Former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has urged Saka to snub any advances from Manchester City but join Liverpool. Another former Liverpool player, Steve McManaman, also gives his verdict on the winger. McManaman believes that Saka will not move to the Etihad.

Can Arsenal hold on to Saka?

Mikel Arteta is hard-pressed to keep Bukayo Saka. The winger was one of the standout performers for Arsenal last season. Saka finished the term with 11 goals and seven assists in the Premier League. For the past two years, Saka has been Player of the Season for Arsenal.

With Arsenal failing to qualify for the top four since 2015-16, it will be hard for Arsenal to keep the winger who made his debut in 2018. Saka won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2019-20, and his brilliant performances have earned him links to clubs that are in regular contention for titles.

Saka has received a bumper offer with a significant pay rise to stop the hawks from prising him away from the Emirates. The winger is yet to respond to the offer, with the vultures already circling. Saka has scored a goal and four assists this term and leads the Premier League after seven games, but they have an unbeaten Manchester City snapping at their heels.

Meanwhile, McManaman told horseracing.net he’s not sure Manchester City would be able to sign the winger. Manchester City seems to enjoy a good relationship with Arsenal following the summer business that saw Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus move to the Emirates.