Manchester City have shown interest in Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka as they look to steal a march on rivals Liverpool – with Gunners yet to tie winger down to a new contract as he enters final two years of his deal

1. Bukayo Saka has estimated transfer value of €100.2m amidst interest from Liverpool and Manchester City. That’s 15th highest in the world. [CIES]
2. Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, 20
3. City join rivals Liverpool, though neither team is expected to move this summer
4. Saka is entering the final two years of his current deal at the Emirates Stadium
5. Extending the young winger’s deal is one of the Gunners’ priorities this summer

Manchester City have stepped up their interest in Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka.

The Premier League champions are now closely monitoring developments regarding Saka’s future as he heads into the final two years of his contract at the Emirates.

Along with their biggest domestic rivals Liverpool, City have earmarked 20-year-old winger Saka as a future target.

And though any move this summer is currently considered unlikely, Manchester City have begun showing increased interest in Saka at a critical point in Arsenal’s attempts to tie him down to a long-term contract.

Saka’s current deal contains an option year which will take his commitment to the Emirates outfit up to 2024 should Arsenal, as expected, activate it.

Securing Saka on a new and improved contract that reflects his rise in status for club and country was one of Arsenal’s priorities this summer.

Initial discussions had taken place towards the end of the season with the Gunners keen to avoid allowing Saka’s contract to run into its final two years.

However, Arsenal were aware of the impact Champions League qualification would have on their summer plans, including finalising a new agreement for Saka who is yet to play in Europe’s top club competition.

And that aim is now only likely to have been complicated by Arsenal being pipped to fourth by fierce rivals Tottenham.

With his current contract situation and their more immediate transfer priorities any deal for Saka would likely prove too costly for either of his Premier League admirers in the upcoming transfer window which opens on Friday.

City have captured their top target, striker Erling Haaland, and are now looking to bolster their squad in central midfield with any further signings influenced by who may leave.

Liverpool’s focus heading into the summer was also on strengthening in central midfield.

However, Arsenal’s failure to make the Champions League has increased their hopes that Saka’s long-term Emirates future will remain unresolved beyond this window, a situation that will only see his value fall the longer that remains the case and play into his suitors’ hands.

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