Football News: Bukayo Saka signs new Arsenal contract

Arsenal has announced the signing of Bukayo Saka to a new long-term contract.
The 21-year-old was set to become a free agent in the summer of 2024, but he is said to have agreed to a three-year extension that will keep him on the books until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Saka, whose new contract is rumoured to be around £15 million per year, has continued to impress during Arsenal's surprise title run, scoring 13 goals and registering 11 assists in 37 Premier League games.

The England international is one of only two players in the Premier League this season to have both goals and assists in double figures, the other being Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City are thought to be monitoring Saka's position, but the teenager believes he has all he needs at the Emirates Stadium to become "the best player" he can be.

"I'm just really happy. There's been a lot of talking and it's been a while, but I'm here now. I think this is the right club, the right place to make the next step. It's a beautiful club - look where we are,"

Saka told arsenal.com after committing his future to the club.

"I think I have everything I need to become the best player I can be, and that's why I'm happy to stay here and be here for the future, because I really believe that we can achieve big things."

"It's been too long since this club has had Champions League football. I'm really looking forward to Tuesday and Wednesday nights in this stadium, the atmosphere is going to be special."

Manager Mikel Arteta added:

"It's great for the club that Bukayo has extended his contract. Retaining our best young talents is key to our continued progress and Bukayo represents such an important part of our squad now and for the future."

"As well as being a fantastic talent, Bukayo is a special person, he's loved by us all and he is a credit to himself and his family for the hard work and commitment they have all made to get to this level today. Together with our supporters, we're so looking forward to enjoying Bukayo's continued development with us in the years to come."

Finally, sporting director Edu praised Saka as one of the world's top young talents, saying it was "so enjoyable" negotiating his new contract with his entourage.

"It has been so enjoyable to work with everyone to extend Bukayo's contract,"

Edu added.

"It is a very proud moment for us all at the club, to work hard with Bukayo and experience his great journey from our academy through to our first team."

"Bukayo has now developed into one of the best young players in the game and we're looking forward to enjoying together this next stage of his career with us."

Saka joined Arsenal's Hale End academy when he was eight years old and has since made 178 senior team appearances, scoring 37 goals and contributing 40 assists.

With Arsenal, he won one FA Cup and one Community Shield, and he took his good club form to the international stage at the World Cup, scoring three goals during England's run to the quarter-finals, where he won the penalty for Harry Kane to score in a 2-1 loss to France.

Saka is the fourth Arsenal player to pledge his future to the club this season, following Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli, and Aaron Ramsdale, and the Gunners are also in talks with William Saliba and Martin Odegaard about new contracts.

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