Arsenal tipped to ‘break wage structure’ to agree deal with star player
Arsenal have been tipped to break their wage structure in order to ensure that they tie down one of their star players for the foreseeable future.
The Gunners had a very busy summer transfer window, with the likes of Eberechi Eze, Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres coming in at the Emirates.
Arsenal have also tied William Saliba down to a new deal, which follows contract extensions for the likes of Gabriel and Ethan Nwaneri.
However, the North London side are now reportedly looking to secure the future of another one of their star players.
Arsenal close to agreeing latest contract extension
It has been revealed that Arsenal are close to agreeing a new deal with Bukayo Saka, which could be worth almost £300,000 per week.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Saka deserves to be earning that sort of money.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Arsenal had to tie their winger down to a new contract, even if it meant breaking their wage structure.
Wyness added that the owners at the Emirates have made it clear that they are going to give Mikel Arteta the tools to win the league.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “With Arsenal, they’re finding that when they’re spending all this money, and they had a very heavy window as we know, then the players assume, well, if you’re spending the money, I’m at the front of the queue as well, and I want to be paid like the other top players.
“Saka is certainly one of those top players, there’s no doubt about it. Kroenke and the owners have made it very clear, they’re going to support the manager, they’re going to give him the tools to do this, they’re going to try and win the league, and Saka knows his worth.
“He’s an exciting player, he’s a great Arsenal player, he’s done very well for them, and certainly he is worth being paid at the top level, and that £300,000 a week. Although it may break some sort of wage structure they’ve got, it’s unavoidable.
“That’s the other consequence of spending money, everybody thinks, okay, if you’ve got the money, I want my share of it as well. And Saka is one that is certainly worth it in my view.”
Bukayo Saka to become Arsenal’s top earner
According to Capology, Arsenal’s highest earner at the moment is Kai Havertz, on £280k per week.
However, once Saka signs his new deal with the Gunners, he will become the club’s best-paid player, reflecting his status as the most important member of the team.
For over three years now, the England international has been the vital part of Arteta’s side, and they need him firing on all cylinders if they are to achieve their goal of a Premier League title.
Saka scored from the penalty spot in Arsenal’s recent 2-0 win over West Ham, which lifted the North London side above Liverpool and to the top of the table.
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