Arsenal have reportedly opened talks with Bukayo Saka and his agents over a dew deal, although many factors could come into play before the 20-year-old commits.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal have initiated talks with Bukayo Saka and his agents over a new bumper deal for the 20-year-old forward. The English international has two years left on his current contract, with the Gunners hopeful of keeping him around for many years to come.
Bukayo Saka’s exponential rise in English football has escaped no one. The 20-year-old forward has become one of the most well-known faces in the Premier League and has helped Arsenal become a more solid side in the last 18 months or so.
Mikel Arteta has built a strong squad full of youngsters, and Saka has been the torchbearer in the Spaniard’s ‘process’. The idea is to create a solid team around the 20-year-old forward capable of challenging for the Premier League title and going far in European competitions.
However, to fulfil this, Arsenal will have to ensure that some of their top young stars, such as Saka, remain at the club for years to come and not be bothered by interest from other clubs. They already secured the long-term future of fellow Hale End graduate Emile Smith Rowe last summer, and it may be time for Saka to follow suit.
? EXCL: Arsenal have held an initial conversation with Bukayo Saka camp over a new contract. 20yo’s deal runs to 2023 + 1yr option in #AFC favour. Club recently met agent & made intentions clear. Formal talks + offer expected to follow soon @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/OTQpxXO0yU
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) March 21, 2022
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported that Arsenal have initiated talks with Saka and his agent over a new deal. The 20-year-old forward’s current contract expires in 2024, and the Gunners do not want to waste any time dragging the issue further.
They want to keep Saka for the long-term future and are prepared to make a bumper offer, matching his newfound stature and offering a pay rise he deserves. Arsenal are aware of the interest in Saka from Manchester City and Liverpool and do not want to be in a weaker position if those clubs start circling the English international.
Saka is backed to pen a new contract at the club, although many factors could affect it. Firstly, the financial package offered by Arsenal needs to match the player’s demands, and secondly, the forward might want to play Champions League football, for which the Gunners are on course to qualify.
Despite well-known sources pointing towards interest from elsewhere, Saka is keen to remain at Arsenal and wants to become a club legend, alongside Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. However, the north Londoners have to be very careful in their talks and not let it slip away for petty reasons.
The fans and the club remain confident over Saka’s long-term future; the player himself will have to decide before the summer. Much is expected to happen in the summer, and the Arsenal supporters will eagerly urge Saka to pen a new deal and cement his name among the Gunners’ greats.
