Arsenal begin talks to sign Saka 2.0

Could there be any better images to come from the day Arsenal lift the Premier League than seeing Bukayo Saka with the trophy in his hands?

Back in 2020, Saka remained unmoved on the pitch with the Gunners in a frenzy. Mikel Arteta was now at the club but things did not start well. “You deserve better Arsenal fans” was the caption accompanying a photo on social media from Hale Ender.

However, six years later, the Englishman has fulfilled his promise; Arsenal fans got what they deserved. After 22 years of waiting, they are the champions of England again.

The wait for the crowning of European champions continues but Josh Kroenke seems more invested than ever in the project at Arsenal. A major raid in the transfer market could help them do better in a year’s time.

Arsenal are looking to sign their new Saka

As Arsenal head into next summer’s transfer window there are a few key areas they would like to strengthen. That was explained by David Ornstein of The Athletic after missing Gabriel’s place in Budapest.

Ornstein told TNT Sports: “They know the need to improve at the end. They are statistically behind the likes of PSG and Bayern Munich. Attacking the left side is very important for them and they have been looking at it for a few years and I think this could be the summer where they go. They want a 6, 8 player. They want to strengthen the right back.”

It sounds like attacking is the priority and a number of targets have emerged. Their main objective seems to be to get Morgan Rogers away from Aston Villa with reports last week suggesting that initial talks have already been held between Arsenal officials and Rogers’ camp.

That said, with a price tag in excess of £100m, alternatives may need to be sought and this is where a certain Marcus Rashford comes into the equation.

Rashford’s future is up in the air right now. He spent last season on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United and has a £26m option to buy the player. However, despite spending £70m on England’s Anthony Gordon, Barca are negotiating that fee.

That has opened up the opportunity for other applicants to move and reports from Spain reveal that three other groups have come to the table to discuss the issue; Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle.

All three parties are said to have opened negotiations by investigating in advance whether there is an agreement. Obviously United would rather sell abroad than strengthen Arsenal.

Why Rashford could be Arsenal’s new sacker

Saka may have endured a tougher-than-usual season in Arsenal colours, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists, but he was more consistent and convincing than any of Arteta’s wide players.

Developing a title-winning team is often a difficult task but there was a glaring hole in the team this season and that was the attack.

The difference between the PSG and Gunners front lines is stark. Therefore, Arsenal will hope to get their own versions of players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue and Co.

They really need it. Noni Madueke scored just eight goals in all competitions and Leandro Trossard equaled that tally. However, even if the Belgian was alive towards the end of the season, scoring a famous goal against West Ham, he had yet to score 25 goals in a row before finding the net at the London Stadium.

As for Gabriel Martinelli, he impressively finished 2025/26 as the club’s top scorer with 11 strikes to his name but only one of which came in the Premier League.

What Arsenal need, therefore, is a player like Saka on the left side of their attack. Rashford could be just that.

Over the years, there has been a lot of reliance on Saka to produce goods. The number 7 has been the best player of Arteta’s tenure, scoring goals and providing regular assists to his teammates.

However, since 2023/24 when Leandro Trossard scored 17 times, they have missed that presence on the left side. With Rashford’s situation, they could solve their problems.

The Manchester United academy graduate’s stock may have fallen in recent years but he enjoyed a fantastic season as Barcelona won LaLiga.

Given his numbers, it’s shocking that they haven’t signed him full time. The 28-year-old scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions.

Like Saka, Rashford is not only a proven England wide player but more importantly, he is one of the most proven and best Premier League players on the market right now.

It wasn’t long before he was posting world-class numbers. In 2020/21, he netted 21 goals and assisted 12 and in 2022/23, he found the net approximately 30 times.

In the words of Gordon mentioned above, he is “one of the best players in the world”, one of the most direct wing players. Like Saka, he likes to get forward very quickly, ranking among the best 8% of players in Europe’s top five leagues with 90 ball forwards at 4.70.

Arsenal’s star boy, for context, finishes 4.77 per 90. They wouldn’t be very similar if they had to carry the ball forward on the flanks.

Some may have their doubts about Rashford’s attitude but there is no doubting his quality. Possibly available at a cheap price, this would be a great Andrea Berta signing.