Arsenal plan to sign Bukayo Saka replacement after injury update – Insider
Bukayo Saka’s injury blow in England’s defeat to Greece raised alarm bells for the Arsenal recruitment department ahead of the January transfer window.
This is according to former Man United, West Ham and Tottenham chief scout Mick Brown, who has worked closely with top players throughout his career, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Arsenal will be looking to sign another winger to play backup to their star man.
The 23-year-old limped off after 51 minutes at Wembley, while Lee Carsley’s side fell to a 2-1 loss after a 94th-minute strike from Vangelis Pavlidis.
Recent reports have claimed the winger will return to full fitness ahead of Arsenal’s trip to face Bournemouth on 19 October in a huge boost for the Gunners.
However, while Saka’s durability and constant availability has been a feature of Mikel Arteta’s side in recent years, there is growing concern about the knocks he has taken.
He is routinely fouled throughout Premier League games – an issue which saw Arsenal raise an official complaint with PGMOL over his rough treatment in 2023.
Meanwhile, the transfer department at the Emirates have already begun lining up options to fill in should he be forced into a spell on the sidelines by the blows he takes.
Arsenal line up January transfer move for Bukayo Saka alternative
Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game and spent over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted Arsenal will have to assess their options in the transfer window and will look to bring in another backup winger.
“I’m sure they’re already looking to strengthen in that position,” he told Football Insider.
“I’ve heard the Arsenal hierarchy have held discussions about what happens if certain players get injured, and that includes Saka.
“They want to get to a point where they have a solid backup for every player in their starting XI.
“Long-term, they’ll be planning to strengthen in every position.
“But that applies to Saka certainly, because a winger who’s always looking to take people on is always likely to get a whack and pick up a knock.
“This latest blow isn’t so serious, they hope, but with the way he plays, he’ll always pick up these little issues.
“He may always be available at the moment, but I know the club are planning for what happens if that isn’t the case any longer.“
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