Manchester City is interested in buying Bukayo Saka this season, and Txiki Begiristain might be poised to complete a daring trade with the Gunners.
Transfer expert Dean Jones recently spoke with GIVEMESPORT about the Premier League Champions interest in Saka, and he hinted that Jack Grealish would even move the other way as part of any prospective deal.
Jones said:
“Grealish is working hard to make sure this £100million City move works out – but it’s worth being aware that the club have a constant eye out for ways to keep evolving.“
“Rafael Leao is a player they like but so too is Bukayo Saka. Neither are attainable in this moment but that may change later in the year, depending on contract talks.”
“One idea being mooted is that Grealish could even end up going in the opposite direction to either of those players.”
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Jack Grealish And Bukayo Saka: 180-Degree Opposites
Grealish has made just 59 appearances for City and has yet to consistently prove that his £100 million transfer fee was worthwhile. He also has just seven goals and seven assists to his name.
Bukayo Saka, meanwhile, has made seven goals and six assists so far this season alone. He has earned a fantastic 7.37 rating from WhoScored for his efforts in the Premier League.
Even though he is only 21 years old, the Arsenal academy graduate has a tonne of experience playing at the highest level. He recently shone for the Three Lions at the European Championship and World Cup. He has made nearly 180 senior appearances for both club and country.
With Arteta full of admiration for the Englishman after his stellar start to the 2021/22 season following that miss, it is a credit to his mental toughness that Bukayo Saka has improved despite missing the critical penalty in the Euro 2020 final defeat against Italy 18 months ago.
The Arsenal boss said of Saka:
“That was a big boost for him, to realise: ‘in difficult moments, these people are really going to give me support’ and the club did the same as his team-mates. Then it is about giving him that space. At his age what he is doing is phenomenal.”
Begiristain Txixi best Deal Until Now?
Begiristain has completed some memorable transfers during his spell at Manchester City. He has brought the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Ruben Dias to the Etihad. However, the prospect of swapping an expensive 27-year-old flop in Grealish for one of the world’s best young talents in Saka would surely be his best deal yet in Manchester.
If the Arsenal and England winger could continue his fine form with a move to Guardiola’s side, then he could easily be a mainstay for the next decade. Also, Grealish’s underwhelming start to life at the Etihad Stadium, as well as the fact that he is six years older than Saka, suggests that this would be an incredible swap deal for the Citizens to complete if they pull it off.
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