Arsenal of England youngster, Bukayo Saka s set to create a new source of anxiety and suspense among fans, players and top brass of The Gunners, as the new line of worry for them all would be whether the Nigerian-born lad will accept or reject a transfer offer from Valencia of Spain, megasportsarena.com reports.
While The Gunners’ faithful and hierarchy are still trying to contend with growing interest being expressed n the fast-rising winger-cum-left-back by two of their English Premier League rivals, Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich of Germany, the next line of worry is coming from Valencia.
This is because the Spanish LaLga side, fondly called Los Che, are said to be closely monitoring the dark-skinned lad, with a view to a transfer this summer, as he comes off contract with The Gunners after the end of next season and he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, thereby raising speculation that he may end his association with the north London club.
To prove how serious they are about making a move for the lad, a top Valencia scout was sent to watch him at Trening centar Petar Miloševski in Skopje last November, when he lined out with England’s under-19 team and helped them hit North Macedonia 5-0 in a Euro U19 Championship qualifier, as he scored only nine minutes after getting off the bench in only 13 minutes of action.
However, while Saka is yet to reach any headway in his contract talks at Emirates Stadium, some sources close to the club insist The Gunners are determined to keep him beyond this summer’s transfer window, as they will ward off any offers that come for him.
One of such is from Liverpool, who are keen to buy the 18-year-old fast-rising star, who has been in impressive form for The Gunners during the campaign, during which he has scored three goals and contributed 10 assists in 29 appearances.
Saka’s current deal with Mikel Arteta’s side will expire in June 2021, and the Emirates outfit are struggling to get a new deal with the youngster, who started the season as a left winger but has primarily been used as a left-back in recent months, and with who a report by Football Insider disclosed that Liverpool have set their sights on for a switch this summer.
However, despite Liverpool’s link with a swoop for the Arsenal youngster, Daily Mirror added in an update that The Gunners are planning to rebuff all approaches and interest spreading round for the Nigerian-born winger-cum-left-back.
The update further states that Arsenal are not interested in selling Saka this summer, even if he does not pen a new contract at Emirates Stadium, where they have offered the versatile lad a fresh five-year deal, as his current contract is set to run out at the end of next season.
His contract situation has also alerted another of The Gunners EPL rivals, Manchester United, as well as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund of Germany, as all the suitors note that Saka fits into a recruitment policy of signing exciting young players and he offers versatility, considering that he is capable of playing as a left-back, wing-back and winger.
Football Insider, however, further disclosed that Arsenal are planning to keep hold of Saka well beyond this season, regardless of whether or not he appends his signature to a new multi-year deal and they will reject bids for the England under-19 international in the upcoming window.
