Arsenal closing in on double contract boost as Berta accelerates long-term project
Arsenal are moving closer to reaching an agreement with Bukayo Saka over a new long-term contract, The Sporting News understands.
The Gunners have made it a priority to secure their core players since Andrea Bertaâs arrival in April, and the Italian sporting director has acted quickly to ensure the clubâs most important names remain tied down to lengthy new deals.
Gabriel Magalhaes was the first player to commit his future under Berta, followed soon after by William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly and highly rated teenager Ethan Nwaneri.
Now, attentions have turned to Saka, widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers and the face of Arsenal’s current project.
Saka is closing in on fresh terms that would place him among the club’s top earners, with the England international set to move into the bracket of players earning over ÂŁ250,000 a week.
Since making his breakthrough at the age of 17, Saka has become a cornerstone of the team, producing goals, assists and consistently decisive performances in big matches.
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Ensuring his long-term future has always been one of Berta’s key objectives since stepping into the role, and there is optimism that the saga is now entering its final stages.
The Sporting News has also learned that Jurrien Timber is also in advanced talks over a new contract in recognition of his excellent displays since returning from a serious knee injury.
Arsenal are conscious that the Dutch defender’s current salary, understood to be ÂŁ120,000 a week, does not reflect his growing importance to Artetaâs system.
His deal runs until 2028, but there is a determination to reward him for his progress and secure his future on improved terms.
The former Atletico Madrid chief has made it clear that keeping Arsenal’s core intact is vital to the club’s ambitions of competing at the very top level, both domestically and in Europe.
Declan Rice is set to be rewarded with a bumper in extension in the coming months, while Gabriel Martinelli’s contract also expires in 2027 and it’s likely that the Gunners will activate the option to extend his deal by a further year, in order to protect his market value.
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