Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of a major breakthrough in their efforts to secure star winger Bukayo Saka to a new long-term contract, with confidence growing that an announcement could be made within weeks.
Progress on Saka's Crucial New Deal
According to reports, negotiations between the club and Saka's representatives, which had been ongoing for some time, have progressed smoothly in December. There is now a shared belief that an agreement is close. Saka's current contract runs until 2027, but the club are keen to tie down their academy graduate with improved terms that reflect his status as one of the team's most important players.
Securing Saka's future is seen as a critical piece of business to ward off potential interest from rival clubs. The 22-year-old is a product of Arsenal's Hale End academy and is understood to be happy at his boyhood club, especially with the team currently leading the Premier League by two points from Manchester City and competing on all fronts.
Andrea Berta's Proactive Contract Strategy
The driving force behind these negotiations is sporting director Andrea Berta, who has made significant progress on new deals since his arrival. He has already overseen contract extensions for young talents Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, as well as key defenders William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Berta's strategy appears to be one of getting ahead of the curve. Rather than waiting for contracts to enter their final years, he is initiating talks well in advance to ensure stability and protect the club's valuable assets.
Who Else is in Line for a New Contract?
Beyond Saka, the club's focus is shifting to other crucial members of Mikel Arteta's squad. The same reports indicate that Jurrien Timber could be the next in line for an extension. Talks are already underway with the versatile 24-year-old defender, whose current deal expires in 2028.
Furthermore, it is claimed there has been initial contact with the representatives of two other pillars of the team: captain Martin Odegaard and midfield linchpin Declan Rice. Both players are tied to the club until 2028, with Arsenal holding an option to extend Rice's deal by a further year. These discussions are believed to be at a much earlier stage, given the players are already on substantial contracts following their big-money arrivals.
This proactive approach to squad management underscores the club's desire to build on their current strong position. After addressing a lack of depth in the summer transfer window, securing the long-term futures of their star performers is the next logical step in Arsenal's project to sustain a title challenge for years to come.
