Bukayo Saka has been tipped to snub Liverpool and sign a new contract at Arsenal. The 21-year-old has been thinly linked with an exit from the Emirates Stadium this summer as he enters the final two years of his deal in north London.
According to The Times, Jurgen Klopp's side are closely monitoring Saka's situation, with Manchester City also keeping tabs on the England international. However, despite interest from the Premier League's title contenders, the Gunners are still confident of retaining the Hale End graduate.
Paul Merson thinks so too. As long as Saka continues to perform as he has for Mikel Arteta's side, the former Arsenal midfielder has been backed to pen a new deal, and he's been told how to follow in Thierry Henry's footsteps.
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Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson discussed what is next for Saka amid the winger's rise to superstardom: "Keep on doing what he is doing. That's what makes top, top players. You just keep on doing it.
"He is only just turned 21. He has got another seven or eight years at the top level, at the very least. He needs to make sure when he is getting interviewed at 29, that carries on, and that's when you are a top player.
"People like Roy [Keane], Scholes, Jimmy [Floyd Hasselbaink], Bergkamp and Henry. They stayed at the top. [Cesc] Fabregas' numbers there (52 goal involvements before turning 21 compared to Saka's 34), you have to remember who he was playing with.
"I think the kid is a talent. He plays in a hard position. You play on the wing, then you are sweating on midfield players. I do like him, but the acid test is that he will sign a big contract, and then you kick on."
Saka featured 38 times for Arsenal in the Premier League last season, directly contributing to 18 goals. His impressive displays steered the north Londoners within touching distance of Champions League qualification. However, despite missing out to rivals Tottenham Hotspur, he's courted interest from several top-flight European clubs.
The winger hasn't quite recaptured his best form this season, though the Gunners look to have taken their game to a new level.
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