Arsenal are ready to make Bukayo Saka their top earner at the club with a new contract on the table, Arsenal Insider understands.
The winger is approaching the final two years of his deal with the Gunners, putting pressure on getting an extension sealed before he enters the last 12 months.
Bukayo Saka has been an important presence for Arsenal ever since he made his way through the Hale End academy and into the first team.
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This season has been a particularly challenging one for the England international for a multitude of reasons.
While plenty of goals and assists have flowed, Saka’s hamstring injury in the middle of the campaign saw him miss over three months of action.
A recent return to the side has shown exactly why he is so important, having played a central role in Arsenal beating Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
That has only underlined the need to get Saka on a new contract before it dwindles down in the months ahead.
Arsenal ready to make Bukayo Saka top earner with new contract offer
With new sporting director Andrea Berta now in place at Arsenal, plans can finally get underway over the shape of the squad.
Some of that will involve the summer window and potential transfer targets, but there will be emphasis on a new contract for a few stars.
Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are nearing the final two years under contract, heaping pressure on a possible extension.
For Saka, Arsenal Insider understands that the club are willing to offer a £300k-a-week deal, which would make him the top earner in the Arsenal squad.
Discussing the situation with transfer expert Graeme Bailey, he revealed the plan of action for the Gunners when it comes to Saka’s situation.
He revealed: “Andrea Berta and Arsenal’s hierarchy really want to get Saka tied down, they have made it clear how important they see him to their plans.
“They see him as the figurehead to everything they are doing and are confident of getting a deal done. They want him done before the start of the season, ideally before.”
It remains to be seen when a deal may be sealed for Saka, but it could be just as important as the coming summer transfers for the Gunners.
Champions League triumph could be key to keeping Bukayo Saka and his Arsenal teammates
After several years of building, Arsenal finally feel at a point where they are ready to win some of the biggest trophies on the table.
While the Premier League title is almost out of sight, the Champions League is still very firmly up for grabs.
Arsenal hold a three-goal lead over Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarter-finals, which has set them up nicely for a trip to the Bernabeu.
There are never any guarantees with the competition, and Los Blancos, though the Gunners will feel confident about their chances.
If they do make the final four of the Champions League, then any team could win it, including Arsenal themselves.
That may be enough to persuade Saka, along with his teammates who are approaching the end of their deals, that the team can get itself over the line in the big moments.
“I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge, so I think it’s pretty clear,” Saka said last week when discussing the future and his contract situation.
If that same desire can be shown across the squad and for any incoming transfer targets, it could take Arsenal to the next level.
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