Arsenal aficionados have reason to rejoice, with the heralded news that star winger Bukayo Saka is poised to pen a new long-term contract. Esteemed French journalist Fabrice Hawkins reports that Saka has ‘agreed in principle’ to a deal extending to 2030, committing his future to the north London club through to the age of 29.
Bukayo Saka: Key Career Milestones
– The second-youngest player in Arsenal’s storied history to achieve 50 appearances.
– England’s Men’s Player of the Year for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023.
– Arsenal’s Player of the Season in successive years – 2020/21 and 2021/22.
– Player of the Match in 12 of his 38 starts for England.
Hawkins, known for his reliability, shared on X on Wednesday evening: ‘Bukayo Saka agrees in principle to extend his contract with Arsenal until 2030. 24yo winger entered final 2 years of previous deal. After William Saliba, the Gunners will secure Bukayo Saka.’
While Saka’s current contract running till 2027 had stirred slight intrigue about his future beyond that term, no substantial departure rumours have taken firm root; his bond with the club appears unshakeable. Saka has been the heartbeat of Arsenal since he burst onto the scene as a precocious talent, anchoring the club through turbulent post-Wenger years with poise and maturity belying his tender age.
Despite the absence of silverware for both Saka and Arsenal during this timeframe, his impact has been palpable, as evidenced by three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League – a significant stride from the situation Mikel Arteta inherited in 2019.
The Foundations for Inevitable Titles
Now poised with new contracts for key players like William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and potentially Saka, Arsenal seem set to end their two-decade league title drought. The exciting prospect of what Saka can achieve from now until 2030 only fuels the anticipation.
Saliba and Gabriel’s recent deals secure them for pivotal future stretches, while midfield maestro Martin Zubimendi and emerging talents Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori are also set for significant tenures. Add to that the experience of Declan Rice and captain Martin Ødegaard, and the Gunners appear on the brink of sustaining a golden era.
Saka’s exploits in the Champions League, including 19 appearances, 11 goals, and 6 assists, underscore his instrumental role in Arsenal’s prospective success.
The signings of Saka and Saliba mark the first victories for new sporting director Andrea Berta. Convincing both to commit to Arsenal despite lucrative allurements elsewhere marks a bold early success in Berta’s tenure. Saliba, in particular, could have walked free in 2027, tempted by significant interest from Real Madrid, but Berta’s negotiations have convinced him Arsenal is the place for his ambition.
Berta has ushered in a wave of positivity, outmanoeuvring fierce rivals like Spurs in the transfer market for players such as Eze, securing Gyokeres to bolster the attack, and adding promising defender Cristhian Mosquera for a modest fee.