Mikel Arteta gives update on Liverpool target Bukayo Saka and his contract situation
Even though there is only an outside chance of this move ever transpiring, on paper, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is a Liverpool transfer target. The first instance of Liverpool links to Saka came up sometime in August via The Times (Subscription Required).
There is absolutely no doubt that he will be a world-class coup for the Reds. In any case, we need someone to play second fiddle to Mohamed Salah, and there are not many better young right-wingers in the game than the Londoner.
Ever since the departure of Xherdan Shaqiri, the only recognized RW in the club is The Egyptian King. While there is no chance that he sits on the bench, there is nobody else at the club to play that role naturally. We have Harvey Elliott, but he doesn’t seem to have that express pace on him for an ideal Jurgen Klopp-type winger.
Speaking to the press, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gave an update on Saka’s contract situation and here is what he had to say via Liverpool Echo amid reports that he already has a verbal agreement in place to extend his stay until 2028 at the Gunners:
“I will be happy because he is a very, very good player, one of the best young players in the world. He is at his house, you know. Arsenal is his home and for sure he is happy. And we will be happy as well if he stays and signs a new deal. Yeah, we always have some jokes – me, him and [William] Saliba. But it’s up to him. But he will stay for sure. He loves the club.”
RW is a position that needs addressing
The Reds have seen glimpses of potential in young Elliott as mentioned earlier, who is growing in stature at the club. However, the 19-year-old does not possess the express pace to be a winger like Salah. Elliott has been effective in a central role, but Klopp needs a reliable right-sided attacker to provide the required balance to the team.
Saka would have nearly been the perfect fit but it is tough to see him move on from his boyhood club at such a young age, with loads of potential in him as well. That would add another aspect to the list of requirements at the club come the summer transfer window.
Apart from strengthening the midfield, which is as obvious as it could get, the right-wing position needs to stand addressed in the upcoming transfer window. Liverpool need to recruit a quality player to support Salah and add more options to the team’s attacking arsenal.
Klopp must identify a suitable candidate to bolster the team’s attacking options and maintain Liverpool’s dominance in the Premier League and beyond.
More Liverpool News:
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- Liverpool eye a move for Juventus star Adrien Rabiot
- Liverpool show interest in Djordje Petrovic
While players like Mohamed Salah come by just once in a generation, the Reds certainly need top quality to back the Egyptian and help ease out any kind of transition in the future as well. Hopefully, Jurgen Klopp, you are reading this.
