Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has made his future ambitions clear amid rumors about the Englishman’s potential move to Manchester City. The 20-year-old has admitted that it is a dream to play in the Champions League.
Saka, 20, often considered as one of the finest forwards on English soil currently, is enjoying a scintillating season at the Emirates. The winger has netted the ball on 6 occasions and laid down 4 of them in 22 appearances in the Premier League, this season.
With the Englishman entering the final 2 years of his contract at the Emirates stadium, his future at North London has been in speculation. Arsenal could well part ways with the young attacker should a significant offer arise on the table, with Mikel Arteta having a move for Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak in mind.
However, Saka’s one of the most productive seasons at the Gunners has ensured that the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City could be battling for the 20-year-old in the summer, as per a report from ESPN.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Saka stated
"“ I think the Champions League creates so many special nights and it’s a dream for me to still to experience one of the, and hopefully many more of them.“But Saka has spoken with passion about Arsenal and his decision to join the Gunners as a youngster, with the 20-year-old keen to make his Champions League dream a reality with the North London Club.“I think Arsenal was the club in the hearts of my family, so we chose them.”"
Arsenal are ranked 5th on the Premier League charts with 39 points from 22 league fixtures. They are a solitary point behind the Champions League qualification spot and are battling for it with the likes of West Ham United, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspurs.
The Gunners’ UCL qualification would play a crucial part in Saka’s decision for his future. The winger is quite keen on making his mark at the biggest stage of European football and could well part ways with the Gunners if they fail to make the cut this time around.
With that said, Manchester City could the perfect destination for Saka given that a move to Etihad would almost certainly guarantee him of playing in the Champions League. Moreover, Saka could unleash his full potential under Pep Guardiola who himself has been a fond admirer of the 20-year-old.
If City fail to sign Haaland, Saka could perhaps be the solution to their number nine woes.
Moreover, Saka’s move to the Etihad would make way for the Gunners in their pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku. With the Bundesliga star being rated very high by the Arsenal manager, the Englishman’s move away from the Emirates is looking inevitable.
Nevertheless, with uncertainty growing over Mahrez’s future at Manchester City, Guardiola has to decide whether he wants to rope in an exciting talent in Saka or persist with the ever-reliable Mahrez on the attacking right flank.