Online Reporter
BUKAYO SAKA has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal – making him the club’s best paid player.
The England international has committed his future to the Emirates Stadium, penning a deal that will run until 2031.
The deal is understood to be worth at least £78MILLION, with Saka set to earn wages in excess of £300,000 per week.
Saka’s previous terms were set to expire in 2027, but the 24-year-old has now put pen to paper on a deal that will likely see him spend his best years in North London.
A Hale End academy graduate, Saka has been integral to Arsenal’s recent upturn in form that has seen them finish second for three consecutive seasons.
The talented winger is in line to make his 300th senior appearance for Arsenal this season, having scored 77 times and registered 78 assists in his 296 games to date.
Saka joins a long list of players who have signed new deals in N5 in recent times.
William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all penned long-term contracts in the summer, while academy prospect Max Dowman has agreed scholarship terms and a pre-contract ahead of his 17th birthday in December.
Saka’s commitment will be a boost for manager Mikel Arteta as his side look closer than ever to finally getting over the line and securing their first Premier League title in 22 years – and possibly a historic quadruple.
Arsenal, who face Wolves tomorrow night, are four points clear at the top of the tree and have secured a place in the FA Cup fifth round, Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League. A new contract could come alongside a new position for Saka, who was trialled in a central area during Arsenal’s 4-0 FA Cup win over Wigan on Sunday.
With Arsenal dealing with injury issues to Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, boss Arteta has said he could see Saka continuing in the No10 role.
He said: “Now we have issues with midfielders, and players are stepping in.
“Bukayo stepped in, and his case is one we have to consider for the future, but it’s really good – especially the way players respond to different types of roles in the manner that they’re doing.”
Adding: “I think he does [enjoy playing No10], and everything that brings a challenge to him.
“Anything where he needs to prove something, that ticks something in him, and I think that’s a positive.”- Sun
Mathew Masinge