ARSENAL reportedly face a battle to keep Manchester City target Bukayo Saka if they miss out on a top four finish this weekend.
The Athletic claims the Gunners want to hand their star man a lucrative new deal this summer.
Saka, 20, has just one year left on a £30,000-a-week contract, although Arsenal have the option to extend it for a further 12 months.
But Mikel Arteta is ready to make Saka one of his top-paid players after the ace struck 12 goals in all competitions this term.
However, Arsenal’s chances of keeping Saka could be in jeopardy.
That’s because the England international, with 14 caps to his name, is desperate to play in the Champions League.
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Arsenal had been on course for the top four before consecutive defeats at Tottenham and Newcastle.
And with just one game left, they now find themselves in fifth place – two points off Spurs.
Arsenal must now beat Everton and hope Tottenham lose to already-relegated Norwich if they want to reach the Champions League.
But unless that unlikely scenario plays out, it could spell a world of trouble for Saka’s new deal.
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One major suitor for the versatile winger is Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola is thought to be a big fan, and Saka could be in line to replace the ageing Riyad Mahrez.
Liverpool have also been linked with Saka this year.
And should either club come forward with a bid, Arsenal could struggle to convince Saka that his future lies in north London.
Saka has made 130 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 23 times.
He was part of the FA Cup-winning side in 2020, before following it up with glory in that year’s Community Shield final.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk