Sources: Arsenal tell sponsors £52m Bukayo Saka deal is all but done
Arsenal have told sponsors they are very confident of agreeing a new contract with Bukayo Saka, sources have told Football Insider.
The attacking midfielder, 21, has been locked in negotiations with the club for many months and supporters are eagerly awaiting news of an announcement.
It is believed talks are progressing well behind the scenes between both parties and Arsenal have let it be known to commercial partners that they expect a full agreement to be secured soon.
The timing of the World Cup could delay the completion of formalities but it is expected that Saka will put pen to paper on a contract worth nearly £200,000-a-week.
It will catapult him into the bracket of top earners at Emirates Stadium, along with Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey.
It is believed Saka is now ready to sign a five-year contract, meaning the deal will be worth around £52million in total.
Arsenal supporters have been getting increasingly nervous about the futures of star trio Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli.
Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the club are in negotiations over extended deals with all three players.
Saka has developed into a bona fide Premier League star since signing his last extension – in July 2020 – which runs until the summer of 2024.
He has attracted interest from rival clubs, including Liverpool and Man City.
But the versatile attacker has made it clear behind the scenes he is ready to commit to Arsenal after being convinced by their resurgence under Mikel Arteta.
Saka has emerged as the poster boy for a youthful and exciting team that tops the Premier League table at the mid-season break.
He has scored four Premier League goals and also supplied six assists in the competition this season and his all-round play from a right-sided attacking role has been instrumental in the team’s attacking performances.
Saka has made 151 appearances for the Gunners since graduating from their Hale End academy.
In other news, Arsenal have just matched Man City as ‘£65m-a-year’ deal agreed.