Bukayo Saka is more than an important player for Arsenal.
Internally at the club they define him as one of the faces of the Arsenal long-term project, a gem with still enormous potential and with a winning mentality that exactly confirms the club's values for the future.
That's why being able to find an agreement for a new contract had been a priority for Arsenal for a year now, when the negotiations actually started it was February 2022: relations with Bukayo Saka's agents have always been excellent, the the idea has always been to continue together but Arsenal know well how important it is to reach a definitive agreement to avoid surprises.
What kind of surprises?
Many top clubs had been monitoring Bukayo Saka's contractual situation for years precisely because he is considered a player with incredible potential.
Arsenal have reached verbal agreement to extend Bukayo Saka contract — new long term deal always been a priority 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 23, 2023
It’s not signed yet but it will get done — understand new deal will be until June 2028.
Saka only, always wanted to stay.
First call: @SamiMokbel81_DM. pic.twitter.com/Sk59Rs1FM0
Manchester City know him well and have monitored him as well as Liverpool and also clubs in other leagues, but it is important to clarify that no one made official offers or negotiations with the player because there was never a real possibility of a Bukayo Saka departure.
There was just so much interest, attention as is normal for a top player like the English star.
Bukayo never changed his position in a negotiation that lasted more than a year: only and exclusively Arsenal, in love with the club and the youth project also thanks to an excellent relationship with Mikel Arteta who has played an important role in Saka's growth during these years.
There has never been a temptation to leave the club, also convinced by the club's director Edu Gaspar who has always wanted to keep Saka as a priority for the Arsenal project of the present and the future.
Mikel Arteta: “There have been no talks or discussions over new deal for Granit Xhaka yet, no news yet”. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 24, 2023
On Saka new deal: “That's what we have to do: keep our best players, our best people. Those that have the same aims and same purposes as the club”. pic.twitter.com/U06QLC3HPE
Now the agreement is in place, still a verbal agreement to be completed with the final details and official documents: the new contract will be valid for five years with Bukayo Saka ready to sign in the coming weeks, depending on the club timing but certainly with a direction now marked.
Arsenal are continuing to plan new contracts with Gabriel Martinelli who has already officially signed until 30 June 2027 with an option to extend for further season, Bukayo Saka next on Edu Gaspar's list and soon also William Saliba who is in discussions with the club to agree on a new long-term deal, expecting Aaron Ramsdale and Granit Xhaka to discuss with the club in the coming months.
Arsenal didn't stop for a moment in their planning for the future because in reality Saka had an extension clause until June 2024 but it was never enough for the club.
The idea is to maintain a calm situation in the dressing room, Bukayo's new long-term deal was a top priority that also makes Mikel Arteta happy who considers him a key player to try and make his dream of winning the Premier League come true... and much more in the coming years, together.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
