Bukayo Saka is rising up the transfer wishlist of Manchester City as Arsenal prepare work on a new contract, while the chances of Gareth Bale returning to Tottenham again have been outlined in Tuesday’s transfer gossip.
MAN CITY CAUSE CONCERN FOR ARSENAL OVER SAKA
Bukayo Saka is becoming a bigger target for Manchester City while they wait to see if Arsenal will renew his contract.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who also remind that Liverpool are interested in the England international. His current contract with Arsenal only has two years left to run on it.
Saka has shown his potential in recent seasons after emerging from the Arsenal academy. The winger will want to play for an ambitious side, presumably at Champions League level.
Arsenal just fell short of that target this season, finishing fifth in the Premier League. Yet they have been making progress, building around a young core including Saka.
Still, they may face a battle to keep him if Manchester City firm up their interest as predicted. The Mail suggest they may be waiting until next summer, but at 20 years of age, there is plenty of time for Saka to make the move.
Yet City are showing an increasing interest as they continue to look for homegrown talent. They currently have the likes of Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Kyle Walker in key roles.
Saka could be the next in line if they decide to accelerate their pursuit. His versatility and creativity would make him an exciting prospect for Pep Guardiola to work with.
During the 2021-22 season, Saka contributed 12 goals and seven assists from 43 games. Across his whole Arsenal career, he has managed 23 goals and 29 assists within 131 appearances.
NO TOTTENHAM RETURN FOR BALE
On the other side of the north London divide, there are apparently no plans for Tottenham to re-sign Gareth Bale.
The Welsh winger became a big-money sensation during his first spell at Spurs, earning a record-breaking transfer to Real Madrid.
His spell in Spain was a rollercoaster ride and included a loan spell back with Tottenham in the 2020-21 season. Now, he has been released at the end of his contract.
After helping Wales reach the World Cup, he will want to be playing at a decent level in the upcoming season. Yet the Daily Telegraph have provided clarity on the chances of a third Tottenham tenure.
They claim Spurs are not interested in taking Bale back. One club that would be, though, is Championship outfit Cardiff City.
It would mark a move to his hometown, although he would be playing in the second tier. Still, the 32-year-old would be getting consistent gametime as long as he can stay fit.
Whether he can adjust his wage demands to fit in with Cardiff’s structure remains to be seen. But it looks at least a likelier route than returning to Tottenham at present.
Interestingly, the Telegraph have also linked Cardiff with another Welsh star, Aaron Ramsey. He will have no future at Juventus after his loan spell with Rangers.
LUKAKU OFFERED TO REAL MADRID
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku remains linked with an exit from Chelsea. The striker has struggled to justify his price tag after his 2021 return from Inter Milan, where he had been prolific.
Chelsea could cut their losses on Lukaku this summer and a return to Inter has been speculated. However, their ability to afford him remains in question.
Therefore, other clubs could have the chance to sign the Belgium international. Indeed, Spanish newspaper Marca, when giving their slant on links between Gabriel Jesus and Real Madrid, mention him as an option for the Champions League winners.
Supposedly, Madrid have been offered the chance to give Lukaku his first taste of La Liga football.
He is merely one of many options on the table right now, along with Man City pair Jesus and Sterling and AC Milan forward Rafael Leao.
Yet it could be a route to keep an eye on if Inter are unable to get a Lukaku return over the line.
