Manchester City are reportedly set to step up their interest in Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka this summer as they eye a future deal, although they will have to battle Liverpool for his signature.
Saka currently has two years remaining on his contract at the Emirates, including an option held by the club to extend his deal a further year if required. But Mikel Arteta and Edu remain eager to tie Saka to a new deal at the Emirates that reflects the club's increasing reliance on the 20-year-old.
Last season saw Saka score 11 goals and provide seven assists as he appeared in all 38 Premier League matches. But with Arsenal missing out on Champions League football, concerns may be starting to mount that securing the England international's future may not be as easy as hoped.
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Arsenal were pipped to fourth place in the Premier League by arch-rivals Tottenham after a number of sloppy defeats, including to Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Initial discussions over a new contract have already taken place between Arsenal and Saka. The club are eager to avoid his deal running into the final two years where they may become more vulnerable to the ambitions of City and Liverpool.
But Arsenal are aware of the negative impact missing out on the Champions League may have on their attempts to tie him to improved terms. A report from MailOnline has now reported that City are stepping up their interest, although no bid is planned for the current transfer window with both themselves and Liverpool prioritising different areas.
However, the lack of top-tier European football has increased confidence from the leading duo that his contract situation will go unresolved beyond the summer.
