How Spurs could sign their own Bukayo Saka for £60m

Cast your mind back to the 2021/22 campaign; Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth in the Premier League with Harry Kane and Heung-min Son registering 40 goals combined that year.

However, five years on, everything has changed in North London, with both players moving on to pastures new and multiple managers trying to bring success to the club.

Roberto De Zerbi is the latest manager to try his luck with the Lilywhites, with the Italian need to find his own solutions to the club’s lack of attacking quality.

The club only netted 48 times in their 38 top-flight outings and additions are expected this summer, but part of the 47-year-old will undoubtedly wish he had a player of Bukayo Saka’s quality.

Why Spurs need a player of Bukayo Saka’s quality

As much as Spurs fans dislike Arsenal and everything associated with the Gunners, there’s no denying Saka is a player who would improve the Lilywhites squad.

The 24-year-old has been a crucial part of Mikel Arteta’s success, as seen with his tally of 11 goals and seven assists across all competitions last campaign.

Such numbers helped Spurs’ North London rivals claim title glory, with the supporters of De Zerbi’s men having to sit back and watch the celebrations unfold in front of their very eyes.

Saka has even managed to produce the goods against the Lilywhites in the Premier League, subsequently registering three goals and five assists in his 12 North London matches.

The aforementioned tally is the second highest of any side he’s faced in his professional career – highlighting his ability to always pop up on the big occasion.

The winger has even taken his talent to the international stage in recent months, as seen by his hat-trick against France at the World Cup – a feat Kane couldn’t emulate at such a tournament.

De Zerbi’s men have been crying out for a similar calibre of player in recent months, but the manager could get his wish granted before the summer transfer window slams shut.

How Arsenal could land their own Bukayo Saka this summer

Spurs’ recent efforts in the transfer market have solely been on improving the attacking department for De Zerbi, as he looks to push the club back up the Premier League table.

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has emerged as one potential target for the Lilywhites, with talks between the club and his representatives taking place in recent days.

However, he’s not the only player currently in their sights, with Eintracht Frankfurt winger Jean-Matteo Bahoya being touted as another potential transfer target.

The Athletic have provided the latest on Spurs’ pursuit of the 21-year-old star, stating that talks have taken place between the hierarchy and his agents to gain more information on a possible deal.

They also claim that clubs in Saudi Arabia are now lining up a move for the Frenchman, which could lead to a potential battle to secure his signature before the window closes.

Other reports have suggested any deal for the youngster could be an expensive one, with the Bundesliga outfit currently valuing him at around the £60m mark.

However, it could prove to be money well spent for De Zerbi’s men, with the attacker managing to match or better Saka’s tallies within the final third of the pitch.

In Germany’s top-flight last season, Bahoya managed to register an impressive tally of 2.8 successful dribbles per 90 – at a success rate of 59%.

Both of the aforementioned tallies are higher than those produced by the Arsenal forward, whilst also placing him above 85% of other wingers across Europe’s top-five leagues.

The French talent managed to match the Englishman for chances created last term – doing so in fewer matches and backing up analyst Spencer Mossman’s claim that he’s a “younger Bukayo Saka.”

His 41% shot-on-target accuracy was higher than that of the Gunners star, which showcases he’s able to make the goalkeeper work with more of his chances – arguably making him a more clinical option.

Bahoya’s electric pace of 37km/h was the fastest of any player in the Bundesliga last term, subsequently highlighting his ability to add a new dimension to De Zerbi’s attack next season.

£60m may be seen as somewhat of a risk for the youngster, but it could prove to be a bargain should he continue his development and improve Spurs’ depleted attacking department.

He’s a highly-rated prospect and one who’s already shown glimpses of his quality, as seen by his stats and ability to outperform a proven talent, such as Saka.

Should he get anywhere near his levels in the Premier League, it would be a phenomenal signing and one that could inflict pain on Arsenal in the upcoming North London Derby matches.