Report: Liverpool can exploit club in financial crisis by signing £54m ace

The Times' Gary Jacob writes that with Arsenal in financial jeopardy, they could sell Bukayo Saka to overhaul their Premier League side and Liverpool must make their move.

After it was reported by Transfermarkt in June 2020 that Liverpool wanted to sign Saka, the young Arsenal star signed a new contract with the Gunners. Now, however, the Reds could make their move and exploit the North Londonder's financial situation.

The report in the Times states that if Arsenal miss out on Champions League qualification again they would have missed out on £160million in revenue in the last five years.

After spending £68million on Thomas Partey and Gabriel not to mention the £72million outlay on Nicolas Pepe, the Gunners are strapped for cash. There is also the fact that each week they pay £500,000 to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Willian - two underperforming players.

Gary Jacob adds: "Arsenal took out a short-term £120 million government loan, which is repayable in May but could be rolled over for another year."

This debt will hugely restrict Arsenal in the transfer window and if Arteta is to add to his squad this summer - which is vital given the need for more technical players - he will need to sell players to generate the requisite revenue.

And that's where Bukayo Saka enters the equation.

Transfermarkt value the 19-year-old at £54million and while it's my view that Arsenal would demand more for him, that kind of fee could help Arteta fund a squad overhaul even if the Spanish manager would prefer to hold onto him.

Liverpool have been interested in the young forward for some time and while it would have been better to sign him before he signed a contract extension with Arsenal, signing him would reinforce their attacking line for a long time.

At just 19, Saka is incredibly mature and has a higher than average football IQ. His ability to spot moves before they even develop is something you typically only see in much older attackers.

Couple that with his tight control and pinpoint passing and you've got an incredible player.

Arsenal's financial jeopardy leaves them vulnerable this summer and if Liverpool want to flex their muscles, they should poach Saka.