Manchester City are stepping up their interest in Bukayo Saka, though they aren’t expected to make a move for him this summer.

The Daily Mail report that Manchester City and Liverpool have earmarked Bukayo Saka as a future target, showing an interest in the player as Arsenal attempt to tie him down to a new contract.

Saka’s current deal lasts to 2024 (assuming Arsenal activate their one-year extension), so the Gunners are prioritising a new deal. But their failure to qualify for the Champions League hasn’t helped.

City and Liverpool are both reported to be unlikely to make a move for Saka this summer. They have other priorities for the time being, but they hope Saka will turn down a new deal and reduce his own transfer value ahead of next summer.

Saka is currently away with the England squad until the end of the international break in just over a week. He’ll then have some time off before returning to Arsenal for pre-season.

That will presumably be when Arsenal make their primary attempt to extend the youngster’s deal, before the competitive action gets back underway.

With the return of European football and the mid-season World Cup, it’s set to be a hectic campaign for players like Saka. Arsenal won’t want to still be negotiating his contract in August.

After 43 appearances, 12 goals and seven assists for Arsenal this season, Saka has already picked up the Premier League’s Academy Graduate award for 2021/22, and he’s likely to be announced as Arsenal’s Player of the Season on Wednesday.

It’s no surprise that the Premier League’s top clubs are circling, but Saka is a player Arsenal will be desperate to hold onto.