by Arsenal are believed to be quietly working on a potential move to sign a big-name alternative to key winger Bukayo Saka, with the Englishman’s recent injury seemingly sending their recruitment team into action.
Arsenal plan to sign Saka as a replacement after injury scares
Despite reports ahead of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool that Saka could miss out with an injury – sustained in England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley earlier this month – the striker, who earns £195,000 a week, is in position to play a big role at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
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Saka opened the scoring against Liverpool with a fine run before firing the ball into the roof of Caoimhin Kelleher’s net, and while the Gunners were unable to secure a victory against Arne Slot’s high-flying Merseysiders, the winger’s presence was absolutely crucial.
The 23-year-old had a hamstring problem that kept him out of Arsenal’s games against Bournemouth and Shakhtar Donestk in the build-up to the draw, but in a huge sigh of relief for Arteta, Saka returned to face Liverpool and is now fit again , to play their part in the hunt for their first Premier League title in 21 years.
|
Arsenal’s next five Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
|
Newcastle United (away) |
November 2nd |
|
Chelsea (away |
November 10th |
|
Nottingham Forest (home) |
November 23rd |
|
West Ham United (away) |
November 30th |
|
Man United (home) |
December 4th |
Saka scored 20 goals in all competitions last season, underlining his undoubted importance to Arteta, and has started this season in similar form with four goals and seven assists in appearances in the top flight, the Carabao Cup and the European Cup.
Although the Hale End Academy graduate is fit and ready to play, his recent scare draws attention to Arsenal’s need for quality alternatives. Arsenal are believed to be eyeing a new winger following Saka’s scare, with Brentford star Bryan Mbuemo among Edu Gaspar’s transfer targets for the role.
Arsenal are also eyeing Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo as a potential Saka alternative after the Ghanaian made an impressive start to the 2024/2025 season.
Arsenal are working “in the background” on a move for Leroy Sane
Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sané, who is out of contract next summer and earning £320,000 a week, has also been sporadically linked with a move to N5.
Speaking to Football Insider, ex-recruitment boss Mick Brown, who most recently worked at West Ham, remains well-connected and says Arsenal have been working “in the background” on a deal for Sane.
“You are certainly one of the interested clubs,“, he told FI.
“He is fantastically effective, he has explosive pace and he is only 28, which is a good age. I often wondered why Man City let him go and why no club in England tried to sign him before he went to Bayern. But now that his contract situation is what it is, I would expect him to move.
“Arsenal, I’m told, are very interested in him. He can play on the left and provide cover for Saka, which they desperately need. Now they are not the only club that is interested. We’ve already talked about Newcastle and there are others.
“But her [Arsenal] are definitely interested in it and I think it’s one they’ve been working on in the background for some time. Not only would he add quality to their team, but he also brings winning experience, which clubs like Arsenal are always keen to bring to the table.”
