Arsenal’s latest impressive victory, a 3-1 win in the north London Derby over Tottenham Hotspur FC at the Emirates Stadium, has left them top of the table and leaves belief coursing through the fanbase that they can actually come close to mounting a title challenge this season.
Potential pitfalls continue to line the way however, none more so than the contracts of their young stars- all of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba have impressed so far this season, but Saka and Saliba are out of contract in 2024, while Martinelli is also set to be a free agent 12 months later.
Tying all three down to new deals, therefore, is among the chief transfer business Arsenal must do this season, with other top clubs around Europe already sniffing around the trio.
And on that front there is optimism, according to the Daily Mail, who report that in the case of Saka, “there is confidence from Arsenal that a deal for the England international to extend by at least a further three or four years can be struck.”
Indeed, they have already tabled their proposal: “A contract, which would make Saka one of the best-paid players at the club, has been formally offered but is yet to be signed. The offer would guarantee Saka close to £200,000 a week”, the report claims.
Meanwhile, Saliba’s contract extension is also described as “a priority”, with the Frenchman having excelled so far this season after returning from loan in Ligue 1.
Tying down the trio’s long-term futures could well prove to be the best business Arsenal can conduct this summer.
