Pep Guardiola Wants Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka at Manchester City After World Cup Debut Heroics

• Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is highly impressed by Arsenal's winger Bukayo Saka and wants him at the Etihad Stadium
• Saka is yet to extend his current Arsenal contract, which expires in 2024, and this could be an advantage for the Citizens boss
• Saka scored two goals in his World Cup debut against Iran and is sending a message to Arsenal to tie him down or lose him

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is set to raid his former assistant Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to try and sign young English winger Bukayo Saka, after he impressed in his World Cup debut.

Saka broke into the first team since the days of former Arsenal boss Unai Emery, who now manages Premier League club Aston Villa. He has become one of the most important members of the team under Arteta.

Saka wants his wages tripled

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Arsenal and Saka failed to reach an agreement over a new contract before he departed for the World Cup. Saka, who is currently on £70,000 a week, wants his wages tripled before he signs a new contract.

The 21-year-old is demanding around £200,000 per week to sign a new contract, according to Daily Mail. This would see him become one of the highest earners at the North London club.

Saka's current contract expires in 2024 and The Athletic reported it has no option of a one year extension. With the young player entering the final year of his contract by the start of next season, this summer will be a defining one.

Good relationships will matter

Pep Guardiola will be hoping to rely on the good relationship between Manchester City and Arsenal, which has seen the two clubs exchange players in the past. Most recently, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko moved to City from the Gunners.

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Guardiola also has a very good personal relationship with Arteta, who was his assistant for three years before he took the Gunners job. However, Saka's importance to Arsenal could prove to be a stumbling block.

Saka beats Wayne Rooney's record

Sports Brief earlier reported that Saka surpassed Wayne Rooney's record at the World Cup, in his first and only game at the Qatar 2022.

One of England's best ever players, Rooney played in three World Cups and scored only one goal. This tally was bettered by Saka with his two goals against Iran.

Saka will be hoping to beat Rooney's record of 53 international goals for the Three Lions, by the time he hangs up his boots.