‘There would be riots’; McManaman doubts Liverpool will land Arsenal, West Ham stars
Steve McManaman admits he would love to see both Bukayo Saka and Jarrod Bowen at Liverpool but feels it is unlikely to happen.
The Reds have yet to strengthen in the current transfer window and may go with what they have until May. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are still doing the business for Jurgen Klopp. But the German tactician knows that he must always look to the future to prevent the team stagnating.
A few eyebrows were raised when the Merseysiders paid a reported £41m for Diogo Jota. But it has proved to be a sound piece of business, with the Portugal international now an important member of the side.
Liverpool have inevitably been linked with many players. Saka, 20, has been a revelation for Arsenal since the 2019-2020 season. And the Londoner has also been capped 14 times by England.
Saka going nowhere
He ticks all the boxes for McManaman but the former Anfield ace believes the Gunners will not let him leave.
“I’ve seen a lot of Arsenal this season and Bukayo excites me more than any other player in their side,” he told HorseRacing.net, via Metro. “Would I love Liverpool to get him? Definitely.
“He brings you something different. He attacks down the right, takes people on and gets to the byline.
“A bit different to Mo Salah, who likes to cut inside. Saka is more of a winger but a winger that likes to chip in with goals and Liverpool do need a winger like him.
“However, there’s no way on earth that Arsenal will let him go unless it’s a case of his contract running out.
“He’s such a young lad but still a leading figure in that Arsenal side and he’s improving every single year. So there would be riots if Arsenal let him join Liverpool.”
West Ham ‘mad’ to let star man leave
Bowen has been in red-hot form for the Hammers in 2021-2022. David Moyes has yet to sign an out-an-out striker and the 25-year-old has picked up the slack alongside Michail Antonio.
He has notched nine goals from 31 outings in all competitions, earnig links to many top clubs. Liverpool are among them.
McManaman is a big fan but, like with Saka, insists it will be a tough deal for Klopp to pull off.
“He’s been great. They bought him from Hull City for £20 million, which seemed a lot at the time, but he’s been great and continued to improve,” he said.
“West Ham would be mad to get rid of him because they’re starting to build something themselves and he’s probably now worth double or maybe triple what they paid for him.
“Declan Rice may be considered the superstar at West Ham. But I’d be very surprised if they let Jarrod Bowen go.”
READ MORE: Liverpool receive approach from needy foreign suitors for star with two transfer methods
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