Ancelotti ‘asks’ for Arsenal ‘pearl’ as Real Madrid plot €50m summer transfer pursuit for Arteta’s ‘best’ | OneFootball

Arsenal attacker Bukayo Saka is reportedly attracting interest from Real Madrid as manager Carlo Ancelotti has ‘asked’ the club’s hierarchy to pursue him.

Saka has emerged as one of the best young talents in the Premier League. His infectious personality makes it impossible to dislike him, but he’s also bloody good at football.

The 21-year-old has made the right-wing position his own both for Arsenal and England in recent years. He was involved in 18 goals in the Premier League last term as the Gunners narrowly missed out on the top four.

Arsenal are at a whole new level this term as they are sitting top of the Premier League. Saka’s performances have also stepped up as he has grabbed seven goals and seven assists in 19 Premier League games.

Saka will no doubt be pivotal in the final few months of this season but his long-term future is in doubt with his current contract due to expire in 2024.

Real Madrid are keen to capitalise on this, according to Spanish outlet Nacional. They are reporting that head coach Ancelotti has ‘asked for the best of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal’ and Saka is the player they are ‘interested’ in.

The La Liga giants are ‘positioned to welcome’ the winger and Ancelotti is ‘one of his admirers’. The ex-Chelsea boss thinks Saka ‘would be a great signing’.

It is noted that Real Madrid have previously been keen on Saka as there ‘was very serious speculation about a possible transfer’.

The report adds: ‘Real Madrid can try to take him away from Arsenal, who would ask for a minimum of 50 million euros for their star, in case they cannot reach an agreement to extend his bond.’

Saka is destined for great things in the coming years and Roy Keane claimed earlier this month that he is capable of playing for Real Madrid.

“For such a young player he has got a lot of experience, he’s already got his hands on a trophy with Arsenal, the FA Cup,” Keane told Sky Sports.

“He has had a big disappointment with England in terms of missing the penalty and he got a lot of criticism from that, but he has bounced back well which is a good sign to him. The key is for the player himself, he looks like he goes out and enjoys the game.

“He seems a really nice lad away from the game, which obviously helps, but when he is playing he can beat a man. When you are playing for the big clubs you need one or two players in your team that can beat a man.

“That changes the picture, it gives you a much better chance of winning football matches. He’s obviously got a lot more consistent, I like everything about him.

“I think any of the big clubs in Europe, he would play for them, I am including Real Madrid. I think he is that good, I think he is fantastic and will only get better.”