Bukayo Saka Responds To Liverpool Transfer Links Amid Champions League Dream
Arsenal are looking to tie Bukayo Saka down to a new deal at the Emirates but Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp are big admirers of the England star – and could provide him with something he craves.
The Gunners however could find it difficult to tie Bukayo Saka down to a new deal if they miss out on the Champions League, according to reports.
Bukayo has enjoyed a rapid rise and is now among the most influential players in the team.
The German declared the youngster an “exciting” player when he watched him up close earlier this season with Saka himself would be interested in.
Arsenal are planning another recruitment drive this summer but they are also desperate to secure Bukayo Saka long-term future.
However, they know their transfer activity, and Saka’s willingness to stay, is likely to depend on which European competition they play in.
Arsenal have not graced the Champions League stage since Arsene Wenger’s time at the club.
The Daily Mail reports that Saka will factor in the likelihood of playing in the European competition when he makes his next contract decision.
Currently the 20-year-old will see his deal expire in 2024 but Arsenal want to give him a major pay bump.
Saka pockets around £35,000-a-week but the Gunners want to put him among the club’s top earners to warn off competition from elsewhere.
The youngster is conscious that compatriots Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are becoming regulars on the Champions League stage, whilst he is yet to play in it.
Arsenal are also determined not to let Saka enter the final two years of his deal having previously seen players force their own exits as their contracts wind down.
Arteta recently claimed he had no issue with rumours linking clubs with his winger, citing it as a compliment.
He said: “I think that’s great news when you have a lot of talk and people willing for your players, it’s a really good sign.
“They should be proud because that means they are doing extremely good work.”
The Arsenal boss stopped short of hailing Saka as world class but did add: “I don’t like to put these labels.
“I am really happy with Bukayo, and with what he’s doing, with how he’s developing and the importance he has on the team.
“Most importantly with the impact that he’s able to make in each game. This is something that we want to keep improving in each game, because he has the capacity to do it.”
Saka has scored seven times this term for the north London outfit, who are one of several clubs pushing for the top four.
Bukayo Saka joined the Gunners at the age of eight after earning recognition from scouts while playing for local side Greenford Celtic.
Although other clubs were interested in signing him, including Chelsea, Watford and Tottenham, Arsenal remained at the forefront of his mind.
In what could be a response to the reports linking him away from the Emirates, Bukayo Saka said:
“I think Arsenal was always the one I wanted to go to.”
“It seemed like they had a lot of faith in their youth and there was a clear pathway when you could see the players coming up from Hale End to London Colney
And my dad also really believed in the project and he loved Arsene Wenger.
I think Arsenal was the club in the hearts of my family, so we chose them.” He added.
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