Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, is in contract negotiations with the club.
The 21-year-old’s current deal has 18 months left with a further one-year option to give the club a safety net.
Saka, who is on around £70,000-a-week, is set for a major rise and his value is soaring thanks to his outstanding displays for club and country.
It could see him almost triple his money towards £200,000-a-week and be among the club’s top earners as Arsenal look to tie him down for the long term. Arsenal fear that not tying him down before the World Cup will only leave them with a bigger bill because Saka is in huge demand with Europe’s biggest clubs watching developments.
Saka scored twice against Iran, is England’s Player of the Year and has also played a major role in Arsenal’s climb to the top of the Premier League. There would be no shortage of takers and he is proving himself on the biggest stage by being part of Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.
Expensive agreement
Arsenal remain confident that they will come to agreement – but it could just be more expensive. Arsenal have been clever in their contract negotiations by inserting a two-year option into Gabriel Martinelli’s contract which is also into the final two years, as is their France defender William Saliba.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is now determined to tie down the club’s best youngsters and transfer boss Edu has had lengthy negotiations with all three. They will look to reward Saka, Martinelli and Saliba – but the fact they were not done before the World Cup presents a different risk and the other two will be watching Saka’s negotiations closely.
His brace against Iran has only increased his value, and further goals at this World Cup could send his stock spiralling. It’s been a long road for Saka since his penalty miss at Euro 2020 and the subsequent racist abuse which followed – but he couldn’t hide his delight at scoring on football’s biggest stage.
