Bukayo Saka urged to reject interest from Premier League rivals

Reports from the English media have linked the Gunners winger with a move to Man City and Liverpool.

Former Arsenal star Theo Walcott has urged Bukayo Saka to stay at the Emirates amid interest from rival Premier League clubs.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City have stepped up their interest in the 20-year-old winger. Aside from the Premier League champions, Liverpool are also keen. The two clubs plan to monitor how things unfold over the next year.

This report comes as Saka enters the final two years of his contract at Arsenal.

Should Saka stay at Arsenal?

Now Walcott has weighed in on this claim, insisting Saka would be better served to continue as a key part of Arsenal’s transitional period under manager Mikel Arteta.

“Well, there is obviously a transitional stage at Arsenal, that Mikel is part of, and Saka is massively part of it as well,” the now-Southampton forward told talkSPORT.

“The younger crop of players at Arsenal coming through, I feel as though the club need to keep hold of him, simple as that.

“Obviously, when Manchester City coming knocking on the door, it is such a hard thing for any player really to turn down.

“He is very young, but I feel that he likes the area of London in Arsenal, the fans have been fantastic, and at the Emirates, which is one of the best stadiums I have ever played in.

“He has great support, and I will be intrigued. My heart says he will be at Arsenal next season, and we will see after that. He needs to understand that the playing opportunities will be limited at Manchester City. He will, of course, be more likely to win things, but it is not saying Arsenal won’t win things.

“I think they are in that phase, they are slowly starting to get there. They would have taken fifth at the start of the season, given how it went.

“I am hopeful he will be at Arsenal next season, I am pretty sure of that.”