The Arsenal star who surpasses Lamine and Mbappé: should Barça sign him?

Published:12/12/2024 - 22:00h

Updated:13/12/2024 - 03:25h

Bukayo Saka has established himself as a silent 'crack'. The Londoner has been leaving remarkable records with Arsenal, surpassing figures like Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal himself

FC Barcelona could include Bukayo Saka in their list of potential wingers for the future. The 23-year-old forward, runner-up in Europe with England in 2021, has been improving his records with Arsenal year after year, the club where he debuted in the European elite six years ago (he has 67 goals and 62 assists in 247 official matches).

With a lower profile than other 'cracks', the Londoner already surpasses, at this point in the season, stars like Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé in terms of offensive production. Indeed, the Arsenal academy graduate has scored 9 goals in 21 matches in the 2024/25 season, 3 more than Lamine Yamal has scored in 20 appearances with Barça.

Bukayo Saka, leader in assists in the 2024/25 season

In addition to his goal contribution, the English international also stands out for his solidarity on the field. After the first four months of the 2024/25 season, no player has more assists in the five major European leagues than the Londoner (10). Lamine has recorded 9 assists so far, having played one more league match than the Arsenal 'crack' (15).

In this regard, Saka surpasses the offensive production of both the young Barça player and Kylian Mbappé. The Bondy native has scored 12 goals with Real Madrid in 22 appearances (1,797 minutes), but has only provided a couple of assists this season. Bukayo has 9 goals and 12 assists in 21 matches, which translates to one goal produced per match in 1,694 minutes.

Could Bukayo Saka play in Hansi Flick's Barça?

In this sense, it is worth opening the debate on whether the 23-year-old winger would have a place in Hansi Flick's Barça. Certainly, the 'gunner' academy graduate prefers to play on the right, but the evolution of Raphinha under the German coach's orders is an excellent example of how a talented player can reinvent himself in an attacking position different from his natural profile.

In any case, negotiating with Arsenal would not be easy at all, as the forward has a contract until 2027 and talks to renew him are going well. Currently, Saka is valued at around 140 million euros on Transfermarkt, his highest value since debuting in the European elite in 2018, in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava (a 'gunner' victory of 0-3, with Unai Emery on the London bench).