Owen Hargreaves believes that Bukayo Saka, after impressing at the Santiago Bernabéu, could be on Real Madrid's list of potential signings.
Owen Hargreaves, a former England international known for his time at Manchester City, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich, has weighed in on the growing speculation surrounding Bukayo Saka’s future at Arsenal.
Hargreaves, who has witnessed first-hand the kind of talent that thrives in top-tier European football, firmly believes that the 21-year-old winger will be a name on Real Madrid’s radar after his impressive display at the Santiago Bernabéu in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Saka’s performance in Madrid has been widely praised, not just for his technical abilities, but for his composure and leadership on a stage as grand as the Bernabéu. Despite Arsenal's exit from the competition, Saka’s contribution has caught the eye of many top European clubs, with Real Madrid at the forefront. Hargreaves is one of the key figures to publicly voice his opinion on the potential move, stating, "I think that after his performance at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid looked at him and thought: 'He can play in our team.'" The admiration from the Spanish giants is evident, and it’s clear that they see Saka as a player who could fit into their star-studded squad.
However, Hargreaves is also realistic about Saka's immediate future, acknowledging that the young star has much to accomplish at Arsenal before making such a monumental leap. “He still has a lot of work ahead of him at Arsenal for the next three or four years,” said Hargreaves. During this time, Saka’s goals will likely involve leading Arsenal to more significant triumphs, including securing the Premier League title, competing for European trophies, and continuing to build on his already impressive career at the Emirates. Once those objectives are achieved, Hargreaves suggests that a potential move to one of the world’s biggest clubs, such as Real Madrid, could be on the cards.
The comparison to other top-tier players was also part of Hargreaves’ analysis. He pointed to the career trajectory of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, who, after winning multiple titles with the Reds, has continued to mature into one of the best full-backs in the world. “Take Trent [Alexander-Arnold] for example,” Hargreaves said. “He won the league, won the Champions League, and now, at 27, he is the same age that Cristiano Ronaldo was when he moved from Manchester United to Real Madrid.” Hargreaves’ comparison highlights how young players, after achieving success in their domestic leagues and European competitions, are often seen as ready to make the next big move, and in Saka’s case, that could very well mean joining Real Madrid.
The mention of Cristiano Ronaldo is particularly relevant when discussing Saka's potential future at Real Madrid. Ronaldo’s transfer from Manchester United to the Spanish giants in 2009 remains one of the most iconic moves in football history. At just 24 years old, Ronaldo had already established himself as one of the best players in the world, and his move to Madrid transformed both his career and the club itself. Hargreaves believes Saka could follow in a similar path, although he recognizes that this would not happen overnight.
As for the financial aspect of a potential transfer, Real Madrid is no stranger to making big-money signings, especially when a player’s talent and potential align with the club’s ambitions. “Real Madrid could end up paying 140 million euros,” Hargreaves predicted, reflecting on the current transfer market where elite players are often valued at staggering sums. Given Saka’s form and his growing reputation, it is not outside the realm of possibility for Real Madrid to offer a significant sum to secure his services in the future.
Saka’s current contract at Arsenal runs until 2024, with discussions about an extension expected in the near future. While Arsenal will undoubtedly be keen to retain their star player, they are aware that the bigger clubs in Europe are always on the lookout for talents like Saka. His style of play, which combines creativity, vision, and a remarkable ability to score and assist, makes him an ideal candidate for top teams that are looking to build for the future.
For now, Saka remains an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, where he has grown into one of the team’s most influential figures. His development under Arteta has been nothing short of impressive, and his consistency this season has helped propel Arsenal to the top of the Premier League. However, as Hargreaves suggests, Saka’s eventual move to Real Madrid might be inevitable, especially if he continues to develop at the same pace and delivers more silverware for Arsenal in the coming years.
In conclusion, while Bukayo Saka’s immediate future seems to be tied to Arsenal, the prospect of a move to Real Madrid cannot be ruled out. As Hargreaves pointed out, the path to such a move is one that will likely involve more achievements at Arsenal, but the potential is there for Saka to make the jump to one of the biggest clubs in the world, just as other English talents have done in the past. For now, fans will be watching closely as Saka continues to make his mark on the Premier League and European football.