Arsenal considering signing £78m superstar

Whether it’s because of Mikel Arteta’s brawny style or the endless years of time that have already caught up with him, Bukayo Saka’s form is a worrying concern for Arsenal.

He should be a key player in a season where they are on course to become Premier League champions or even better. On the big stage, Arsenal’s front line should flow through the main character’s talisman. But Saka has looked too replaceable in the last six months.

The Gunners have every reason to believe this is more than just a blip. The Hale End graduate’s influence is waning and never was this more evident than in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.

Arsenal consider upgrading Saka

Arsenal have learned the hard way that throwing a teenager into the side week after week and asking him to be a key player from the off can have disastrous consequences. In theory, the 24-year-old Saka should be at the peak of his powers. But in reality, he looked as leggy as a 28-year-old this season.

The Premier League has changed a lot for young players, but the fact that Saka has played far more games than Henry at this stage of his career should have fans equally excited and concerned.

It’s clear that the former Arsenal player has developed faster than Henry, but when it comes to longevity, he’s already starting to show signs of struggling.

The 24-year-old was at his best, scoring 20 goals, and added another 17 in all competitions. That was two seasons ago, and with only two months left in the season, they have yet to reach double digits in either game.

Arsenal’s momentum has been unstoppable this season, but it may not be the same next season, so it’s not surprising that a replacement could be on the horizon.

According to Miguel Delaney of the Independent, Arsenal are considering signing Hviča Kvaratschelia from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The paper notes that Arteta’s attack will receive “special attention” in the summer, with Kvaratschelia just the only exciting target. The newspaper said that although PSG are likely to take a hard line on such a key player, the winger’s camp is understood to be “open to the idea” of a transfer. Transfermarkt value the player at around £78 million, but he could command an even higher fee.

Comparison of Kvaratskheria and Bukayo Saka

Where Saka is predictable, lethargic and overly reserved, Kvaratskheria is creative, quick and clinical. He has everything Arsenal need in a winger. He could be the ultimate answer to their open play struggles.

Some teams pass low blocks to the death, while others, like Arsenal, find routes from set-pieces. Kvaratschelia has found his way through individual talent, and that is the one ingredient missing for the Gunners to establish themselves as dominant for years to come.

The most notable thing about Kvaratschelia’s performance this season is how often he ventures into the most dangerous areas. The PSG man recorded 9.85 touches per time inside the opposition box. Combine that with his defiant success and it’s no wonder he poses such a threat.

Of course, there is an argument for the winger putting together these numbers in Ligue 1 compared to the Premier League, but his performances in the Champions League, especially against Chelsea, were also outstanding.

Arsenal would welcome a summer signing if they can secure Kvaratschelia, who has scored 12 goals and provided seven assists this season, described by CBS’s James Benge as one of the “best attackers in the world”.

The 25-year-old Georgian is at the peak of his powers and could transform the Gunners from a set-piece specialist into an open-play monster. If Andrea Berta has even the slightest chance of getting a contract, he needs to jump at the chance.