Arsenal target potential £42m replacement for Sac who they say is ‘special’

Arsenal they have been shortlisted for a new potential transfer target who is even capable of entering it Mikel Artetastarting eleven instead Bukayo Sakaand Topnik’s transfer chiefs believe he could be destined for a big future.

Bukayo Saka out until March as Arsenal’s new winger

Saka’s long absence is starting to show on the pitch and Arsenal are seriously missing him £195,000-a-week striker performance in terms of goals and assists.

The England international’s 20 goals and 14 assists in all competitions last season played an important role in Man City’s push for Premier League title, and his 22-goal contributions so far this term (nine goals, 13 assists) have been equally imperative to their chances of taking on Liverpool at the top of the table.

However, Arteta must cope without Saka’s attacking influence until March after the 24-year-old underwent hamstring surgery.

The Spaniard has confirmed that Saka will be out for January and February, prompting reports of this Arsenal is looking for another quality striker who could replace the Hale End superstar.

“He had an operation, everything went well” he said Arteta on Saka’s hamstring injury.

“But unfortunately, it’s going to be many, many weeks. I said many weeks, so I think it’s going to be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much longer. I think it’s going to depend, you know, how the scar starts to heal in the first week, it is very difficult to say.

Arteta would ideally like to sign Nic Williams in Januarybut a winter deal for the Athletic Bilbao star would cost the value of his £50m release clause and additional costs such as his high wages and agent fees – making a move less likely this month (David Ornstein).

Arsenal are targeting Sporting Lisbon jewel Conrad Harder

According to The Boot Room and journalist Graeme Bailey, Sporting CP’s Conrad Harder is now attracting interest from the Emirates after a very impressive 24/25 campaign so far – where he has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.

Arsenal think Harder could become a “special” playeras well as other suitors like Chelsea, who see real potential in the 19-year-old. While the striker’s contract includes a £67m release clause, it is believed that an offer of around £42m could be enough to force Sporting to sell.

While the Denmark Under-21 international is traditionally a centre-forward, Harder has actually featured far more often outside of Sporting in the Premier League – both on the left and right – so he could be an option to succeed Saka while he recovers on the treatment table.

The boss of Man United Reuben Amorim he praised Harder for being “aggressive” back in September, which is exactly the kind of quality Arsenal need to display right now as they look to fight their way back into the title race.