Arsenal has extended a substantial pay increase to Bukayo Saka in an effort to dissuade him from signing with Manchester City, according to reports from the Daily Mail.
The 20-year-old was one of the most impressive players for Mikel Arteta during the previous season, contributing to the Premier League with 11 goals scored and seven assists.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of City, has expressed interest in Saka and views him as the “dream replacement” for Raheem Sterling, who left the club earlier this month to sign with Chelsea.
Arsenal has now taken steps to prevent City from making a move by offering Saka a new contract worth at least double his current £70,000-a-week deal.
Saka, who has two years remaining on his current contract, has yet to respond to Arsenal’s proposal.
Should he accept, Saka would become one of Arsenal’s top earners alongside new summer signing Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey.