Liverpool are reportedly interested in a future move for Bukayo Saka as Jurgen Klopp has identified the youngster as a perfect addition to his frontline.
According to Duncan Castles via The Transfer Window Podcast, Liverpool might be interested in a move for Bukayo Saka in the future. The Arsenal youngster is claimed to be one of the identified prospects to help refresh an ageing Reds front line.
Liverpool might have been unbeatable for the best part of Jurgen Klopp’s reign at the club, with the German manager creating a formidable, competitive team during that period. As with everything in football, things will have to change at a certain point, and the manager is already thinking of refreshing his attacking options.
The signing of Diogo Jota in 2020 probably signalled the beginning of the end of their otherwise lethal front three of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. Those attackers will have only a year left on their existing deals at the club next summer, while the Reds may be wary of offering them new long-term contracts as they close in on their 30s, or in the case of Firmino are already 30.
Klopp will gradually start identifying new prospects to replace them in the long term. Leeds United’s Raphinha is considered an option as the Reds eye a move for the Brazilian next summer. The Whites attacker is reportedly keen on switching to Anfield and might prove to be an easy target compared to some other names on the shortlist.
One of them is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, who might prove a difficult acquisition considering many factors. The youngster has been at the forefront of exciting performances in the last 18 months, which has put him on the radar of big clubs. However, he is not a player the Gunners might be willing to trade at the moment.
Saka recently signed a four-year deal in the summer of 2020, and the club have stood by their promise of building an exciting young squad around the England international. Arsenal invested heavily in players under the age of 23, as Mikel Arteta envisions a good, competitive team in the next few years, with Saka at the forefront of it all.
Liverpool were very keen on Saka before he signed the deal, although now it may take a huge offer even to get Arsenal’s attention. The Gunners are unlikely to entertain any talk of a transfer for the 20-year-old, although Liverpool will use their pull and lure of competing for titles as a way of convincing the player.
Saka, a product of the Arsenal academy, will surely be on the table with Arsenal to discuss a new deal soon enough, with his current contract expiring in 2024.
Liverpool’s tactic for trying to get a star player from another club: allow LFC-friendly media types to circulate Liverpool interest in players (see Saka, Raphinha, Bowen). Let the rumours continue for months, without ever actually making a formal enquiry. Hope that by doing so the player will become unsettled and might himself even start agitating for a move. The tactic, of course, is pathetic. And the sooner the FA investigate this method of tapping up the better.