Chelsea reportedly hold an interest in signing Bukayo Saka from Arsenal, but they will be unable to stop him from penning a new contract at the Emirates Stadium.
Saka, 21, has been one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League during the last couple of years, which has led to 20 England caps as well.
The left-footed winger has been in great form for Arsenal this season, scoring four goals and making four assists in 12 games across all competitions.
As it stands, the youngster’s deal with the Gunners expires in 2024.
Bukayo Saka contract
Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that Saka is in line to sign a new contract with Arsenal that may be worth as much as £200,000-a-week.
He acknowledges interest in the player from rivals Chelsea, but suggests the Blues are being used as leverage during the Saka contract negotiations.
“I don’t think Chelsea can stop this (Saka signing a new Arsenal deal). I think if anything they’re being used as leverage as the final points are ironed out around this deal. Saka is untouchable. Arsenal are not going to sell him in the short-term to a Premier League rival,” Jacobs told The Football Terrace.
“As things currently stand, the framework of a contract is there. It’s going to be about five years and he’s going to be on roughly speaking £200,000-a-week. That is where there is opportunism for Chelsea because as they look to clear out players, particularly like N’Golo Kante, Chelsea would be prepared to offer more wages than £200k-a-week. That perhaps is where these stories [linking Saka to Chelsea] are coming from. That perhaps is where the leverage is coming from. Chelsea absolutely like Saka, but he’s not at the front of the queue because he’s not as realistic as other targets that Chelsea are also pursuing at the same time.”
Described as “fantastic” this month by Gary Neville, Saka is a really talented attacker that is only getting better with more experience.
He definitely fits the mould that Chelsea appear to be looking towards with signing rising youngsters, but snatching Arsenal’s golden boy away from them seems like a really long shot.
Thankfully, Chelsea already own a great batch of English talent. Let’s hope they can link up well with Saka for Gareth Southgate’s England side in the World Cup this winter.
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