Transfer Centre

Peter Crouch urges Arsenal to tie down Bukayo Saka

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 20 June 2020

Former England striker Peter Crouch believes that Arsenal should attempt to agree a new deal with Bukayo Saka as a matter of urgency.

Former England striker Peter Crouch has urged Arsenal to agree a new deal with teenage starlet Bukayo Saka.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign at the Emirates, chalking up three goals and ten assists often from an unfamiliar left-back position for the Gunners.

Saka's current deal in North London is set to expire next summer, however, and Crouch has expressed his belief that Arsenal must tie the youngster down to a new deal as a matter of urgency.

Speaking to BT Sport, Crouch said: "I would be concerned [if Saka left]. It's happened time and time again at Arsenal. I'm not sure who's in charge of contracts, but it needs to be sorted out.

"They're giving big, big contracts to players who don't want to be there and they haven't sorted out someone with immense potential like Saka.

"I think he's possibly been Arsenal's best player in this first-half. Some players are lacking a little bit of desire at Arsenal, and you have to say, he's been the shining light.

"A club of Arsenal's stature, they should be trying to tie down these top young players. It's a surprising thing that they haven't been able to do that."

Saka, who has been previously linked with the likes of Valencia and Liverpool, played 87 minutes of Arsenal's defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday afternoon.