Arsenal have now defined their stance on any shock transfer for Bukayo Saka with the Gunners’ Premier League rival, Manchester City, monitoring the England international.
That is according to Ben Jacobs, who reports that the Etihad Stadium outfit are keeping tabs on Saka. But Arsenal have always marked the 21-year-old as ‘untouchable’ in the short-term and awarded him a new contract in May. The forward’s fresh deal locked him down to 2027.
Yet Manchester City retain their interest in a potential future move with the Citizens looking three to five windows ahead. The Premier League title-holders strongly believe the Hale End graduate would be a fantasy signing for Pep Guardiola. But Arsenal were never going to sell.
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Arsenal consider Bukayo Saka ‘untouchable’ in the transfer market
Saka has been a part of the Arsenal fold since the age of eight and has made 182 first-team appearances. He has also now scored 39 and assisted 41 goals in all competitions, including one of each this season. While Saka matched one of Paul Merson’s club records on Monday.
Manager Mikel Arteta has now started Saka in 82 consecutive Premier League games to pull level with Merson’s record. The Gunners hero achieved the feat between February 1995 and February 1997. Saka started his streak in May 2021 and can take first outright this Saturday.
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The 2020/21 campaign further saw Saka start his own journey as an Arsenal hero as he took home their Player of the Season award. The 28-cap forward has only strengthened his status as the Gunners’ talisman since. His form from the right flank is often central to their results.
Manchester City retain an interest in the England winger’s transfer
Saka, who Rio Ferdinand calls a ‘difference-maker’, being such an important player for Arteta saw Arsenal dub him ‘untouchable’ but Manchester City remain interested in a transfer. The Citizens would have to offer an astronomical amount to ever tempt the Gunners to sell, too.
With Arsenal also now rivals to Manchester City to win the Premier League title, Arteta must be even more keen to block the winger from moving to Etihad Stadium. And given that Saka signed a new contract during May, he is clearly happy with his future being in north London.