Arsenal ‘worried’ about future of £70k-a-week star at Emirates

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is ‘happy’ at his boyhood club and is eager to be a ‘big part of the future’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the Gunners’ most important players in recent years and has been tentatively linked with some of the Premier League’s top clubs as a result.

What is the latest news involving Saka?

Saka’s current £70,000-per-week contract is due to expire in the summer of 2024, and Arsenal’s technical director Edu recently revealed that negotiations over a new deal are already underway.

“Good, very good,” the Brazilian chief replied when asked how talks are going during an interview with The Athletic. “Everybody is happy.

“We’re going to sit and put all the expectations in the right place. The main thing is how he feels, how he feels comfortable with us. He’s happy, we’re happy, so it’s just: sit down and find a solution.”

However, back in June, the Daily Mail claimed that both Manchester City and Liverpool were closely monitoring Saka’s situation after earmarking him as a potential future target.

Arsenal will surely be desperate to tie their academy graduate down to fresh terms as quickly as possible, therefore, ending the speculation surrounding where he will be plying his trade in the long-term.

What has Jones said about Saka?

Jones believes that Saka is more than content in his current surroundings, but that City and Liverpool’s interest has been in the back of the Arsenal hierarchy’s mind for a short while.

He told Gunners247: “There’s also been in the back of their mind that if this guy becomes even slightly available, Manchester City or Liverpool could pounce; that’s been a worry.

“But I think Saka is fine, I think he’s happy, and I think that he wants to be a big part of the future.”

How important is Saka to Arsenal?

Saka enjoyed the most productive campaign of his senior career last term, registering 12 goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, leading to him being labelled “electric”.

And the England international has started this season in impressive fashion as well, racking up three goal contributions in his seven outings for Mikel Arteta’s table toppers.

As per WhoScored, Saka has also averaged 2.3 shots, 1.8 key passes, two dribbles, and 1.2 crosses per Premier League game, placing him in the top three amongst his Arsenal teammates in each metric.

Losing Saka would be a bitter blow for Arteta’s ambitious plans in north London, and everyone associated with Arsenal will be hoping he commits his future to the club.