Manchester City have the chance to secure their only piece of silverware this season if they clinch victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend.
One man who has played a significant part in City’s title charge this season is Riyad Mahrez.
With 27 appearances and just 14 starts to his name in the current league campaign, the Algeria winger has scored 11 goals and delivered five assists in the process. This leaves only Kevin De Bruyne (15) and Raheem Sterling (13) having found the net more often.
The 31-year-old’s current contract at the Etihad Stadium is set to expire in the summer of 2023.
With that in mind, it seems as though the club may have already identified a player who could come in and be their next version of the Algerian attacker.
What’s the news?
According to a recent report from The Sun, City are potential suitors for Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka should the England international look to quit the north London club.
The report added that Saka’s future with the Gunners could be in danger if they don’t secure Champions League football this season, potentially paving the way for City to make a swoop for the attacker, of whom Pep Guardiola is apparently a fan.
A product of Arsenal’s youth system, the 20-year-old has made a total of 182 appearances for the club across their under-18, under-23 and senior sides, 130 of those at first-team level. In that time, the England international has racked up 45 goals and 45 assists along the way, with more than 50% of that haul coming for the first-team.
Would you take Bukayo Saka at City?
Labelled an “electric” player by Gunners legend Ian Wright, Saka has 11 goals and six assists to his name in 37 league appearances this season.
The £58.5m-rated youngster is also listed as Arsenal’s highest-rated player in terms of his performances according to WhoScored, with an overall rating of 7.05/10.
Having played more than double the amount of minutes in the league this season compared to Mahrez, the Arsenal star unsurprisingly has more shots, passes, pressures, tackles and interceptions than the City attacker.
The 20-year-old also has a higher rate of shot-creating actions per game than the Algerian, showing just how dangerous he can be at the top of the pitch.
Given the age difference between the two wingers and the fact that he’s playing for another Premier League side, just like Mahrez before he joined City in 2018, Saka could be the ideal long-term replacement for the former Leicester winger at the Etihad.
In other news: Man City eye move for £20m wizard who “always gives solutions”, imagine him & Alvarez
