Transfer Centre

Mikel Arteta confirms Bukayo Saka contract talks

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 February 2022

Mikel Arteta confirms that Arsenal will soon open contract talks with attacker Bukayo Saka, who has been linked with Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club will soon sit down with Bukayo Saka to discuss a contract extension.

The England international continues to develop in North London and has had a direct hand in 10 Premier League goals this season - scoring six and setting up four more.

Saka's existing deal at the Emirates Stadium is due to run until the summer of 2024, but there have been suggestions that he could be tempted by a move to Liverpool or Manchester City if Arsenal fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The 20-year-old has talked up his affection for Arsenal amid the exit links, though, and Arteta has now revealed that talks will soon take place over keeping him at the club for longer.

"It is a conversation we are going to have with the player, then his agent, his family — [talks] which are going to be extremely important as well — so everybody is on board," Arteta told reporters, as quoted by the Evening Standard.

"Obviously, our desire is to keep Bukayo as long as possible, because we are really happy. He is part of our club, our DNA, he is growing, he is maturing. His importance in the team is unquestionable and we want to keep our best talent, that's for sure."

Saka has already won the FA Cup and Community Shield at Arsenal and has made 114 appearances for the club in total, registering 18 goals and 26 assists for his boyhood team.

As well as fresh terms for Saka, Arsenal are also thought to be planning contract extensions for fellow youngsters Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba.