Pep Guardiola proved with his transfer activity over the summer that he doesn’t rest on his laurels and will consider drastic action to revamp the squad, so it’s no surprise he’s been linked with a move for Buyako Saka.
The 21-year-old has impressed this season for Arsenal and had a fantastic World Cup campaign with England, so his stock couldn’t be higher right now. Saka’s contract is up in 2024 and reportedly talks haven’t progressed in a year, so his future at the Emirates Stadium might be uncertain.
Vital Man City have noted multiple times in the past that Guardiola isn’t short of forwards with Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva able to play out wide, but it remains to be seen if Mahrez will be at the Etihad Stadium beyond 2024 when Saka’s deal is up.
The Algerian international turns 33 in two months and hasn’t been at his best this season (9 PL apps, 1 goal, 0 assists, 7 chances, 5 dribbles, 19 crosses), so Mahrez might not be a regular under Guardiola after the current campaign.
Saka would be the perfect upgrade as a young, homegrown quota-ticking forward who also operates on the right flank, not least because of his superior numbers (14 PL apps, 4 goals, 6 assists, 29 chances, 20 dribbles, 57 crosses).
The 21-year-old won’t come cheap, but he would be an excellent upgrade if Mahrez is moved on in the next 18 months.
In other news, Pep Guardiola won’t drop Rodri v Liverpool despite ‘get his head sorted’ claim
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