Mikel Arteta’s £65m transfer pursuit sends clear Bukayo Saka future hint amid Man City interest – Bailey Keogh

Arsenal’s pursuit of Raphinha has seemed to intensify. Various reports have claimed that Barcelona’s interest in the Brazilian has been removed which puts Arsenal in the driving seat.

The Leeds United winger would be an excellent signing for the Gunners and would certainly enhance the attacking firepower at Mikel Arteta’s disposal. But, his arrival could also signal the potential departure of Bukayo Saka in the near future.

The two players feature best in the same position and are both left-footed which makes putting them both in the starting lineup a tough task. Saka has attracted interest from elsewhere and this could potentially be the catalyst for the youngster’s departure.

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There have been questions surrounding Saka’s future at the Emirates Stadium, in particular recently as his contract situation is beginning to reach a precarious stage. This summer he will have just two years remaining on his current deal and is approaching the stage where a renewal must happen.

The Englishman is viewed as one of the club’s most valuable assets and football.london understands that the Gunners have made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old is currently valued at £84million, according to CIES Football Observatory.

The Daily Mail had reported that Manchester City and Liverpool were interested in potentially securing the services of Bukayo Saka in the transfer window. Their interest could potentially intensify following Arsenal’s push to sign Raphinha.

According to GOAL of Brazil, Raphinha is on the verge of signing for Arsenal. The player doesn’t know anything about Barcelona’s interest yet. A dead could be closed this week, while transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims a potential could cost £65m.

The Brazilian and Saka starting on the same team is hard to imagine due to both players’ tendencies to cut in from the right-hand side, which is both their biggest strength. Raphinha’s arrival could be the biggest sign yet that Arsenal are having difficulties in getting Saka to agree to a new contract.

Raphinha would certainly be an excellent replacement if this was the case. Since joining Leeds in 2020, Raphinha has been their main threat, which is a major reason why he received recognition from the Brazilian national team. He has also attracted interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

With Barcelona also in the picture, securing his signature will not be easy. But the financial troubles surrounding the La Liga side could give Arsenal the perfect opportunity to swoop in for the midfielder.



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