Andrea Berta has a difficult job on his hands at Arsenal this summer.
The Atletico Madrid man is expected to replace Edu Gaspar as the Gunners’ sporting director, and he’ll have to have transfer plans already in place ahead of what is likely to be a busy window at the Emirates.
Arsenal need a striker, a winger, at least one central midfielder and a back-up goalkeeper, while several players in Mikel Arteta’s squad need moving on.
However, as well as facilitating departures and pursuing signings, Berta has several contractual situations that he needs to deal with.
Ethan Nwaneri closing in on new five-year Arsenal contract
William Saliba should be offered a new contract by Berta, while Gabriel Magalhaes and Bukayo Saka are also in need of fresh deals.
However, one task on the Italian football administrator’s to do list may be about to be ticked off, as Ethan Nwaneri is said to be closing in on a new five-year contract at Arsenal.
Nwaneri signed his first professional deal last March, but was only able to put pen to paper on a one-year contract due to rules that prevent players under the age of 18 signing deals of a certain length.
Turning 18 on Friday, according to the Daily Mail, the youngster is now set to commit his long-term future to his boyhood club.
The report doesn’t indicate what wage bracket Nwaneri will be in after his new deal, although it’s likely that he’ll receive a significant increase from the £6,000 a week he’s currently earning (via Capology).
Arsenal have previously had to fend off interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City to keep hold of Nwaneri, and thus, tying him down to the club for the next five years will be a huge relief for Arteta, who will be desperate to retain his brightest young talents.
Arsenal set to open contract talks with Bukayo Saka
The Daily Mail also reveal in their report that Arsenal are set to open talks with Saka over a new contract.
The team’s talisman’s current deal expires in the summer of 2027, and the Gunners are subsequently eager to extend his stay and improve his payment terms.
Saka currently earns £195,000 a week, less than Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey, which doesn’t reflect his importance to Arteta’s squad.
Clearly Arsenal’s best player, the Englishman should be demanding a huge jump in his wages.
Saka is in contention to feature against Real Madrid in Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final showdown, a tie that could cement his claim to be the highest paid player at the club if he makes a major impact.
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