A claim has been made that Manchester City were interested in making a shock move for Arsenal poster-boy Bukayo Saka at one point.
This comes from journalist Ben Jacobs on The Daily Briefing podcast as he gave his two cents on the England international’s potential transfer to City in the past.
It seems like Manchester City were extremely keen on signing Bukayo Saka from Arsenal.
Ben Jacobs: Manchester City really wanted to sign Bukayo Saka
Branded as an ‘unbelievable player’ by Oleksandr Zinchenko (via Evening Standard), the 21-year-old has been a revelation since breaking through in the Gunners first-team.
So much so that after his heroics last season, the FA Cup winner was nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, alongside names like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Harry Kane and Martin Odegaard.
Now, it has been revealed that Manchester City were eyeing a move for Bukayo Saka.
“With Saka, he was always untouchable in the short-term, although there was some interest from Manchester City. There still is, which is normal because you’re tracking players with a view to three to five windows ahead. But Arsenal were never going to sell Saka.”
Bukayo Saka would have been the perfect heir to Riyad Mahrez
It is a shame from a Manchester City point of view that Bukayo Saka decided not to push for a transfer to them.
Considering Riyad Mahrez’s decline began in the 2021/2022 season, the Arsenal academy graduate would have been the perfect candidate to have replaced him even back then.
Taking into account even Pep Guardiola’s seeming demands from his wingers last season, Bukayo Saka’s unique blend of being a 1v1 threat, an output machine and technically secure would have suited the Sky Blues to a tee.
The youngster is well and truly a special talent and at Manchester City, his superstar status would have likely risen around better players, the best manager in the world and the drive to win multiple trophies.
