Arsenal have endured a fantastic start to the 2022/23 Premier League campaign - and now they want to reward two of their star players.
Mikel Arteta has worked wonders with his playing squad within the past year and the Gunners are now set on securing fresh deals for players including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Indeed, Arteta is keen on tying the duo down to new deals in order to avoid the risk of losing them to rival clubs next year.
As it stands, the 21-year-old’s are on small wages compared to the rest of their teammates and if they are to commit their long-term futures to the Gunners, they have demanded to become some of the highest earners at the club.
Following the end of the summer transfer window in which Arsenal splashed out around £117.2million on five new signings, the Gunners have now made it their top priority to offer some of their most valuable players fresh deals as Arteta aims to continue his new legacy.
Reports have been circulating for a while now that Saka is set to be the first on the list of players who Arsenal offer new terms to, despite his contract not expiring until 2024. However, the Englishman is one of the lowest earners at the club, taking home just £30,000-a-week on his current deal.
Martinelli is also expected to sign a new contract at the Emirates Stadium following his star showing in Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool. The Brazilian wants a significant pay rise, though, although he earns triple the amount of Saka at £70,000-a-week.
Will Arsenal secure the long-term futures of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli before the World Cup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
These figures are from Sportrac, who also claim that Gabriel Jesus is Arsenal’s highest earner following his £45m switch from Manchester City in the summer, signing a deal worth £265,000-a-week. The Brazilian already has five goals and five assists in 11 games this season.
Next on the list is midfielder Thomas Partey, who earns £200,000-a-week following his £45m switch from Atletico Madrid in 2020, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is third. However, although Sportrac offers no official figure, The Sun claims he is on £150,000-per-week.
Defenders Ben White (£120,000) and Kieran Tierney (£110,000) are followed by Granit Xhaka, who is on £100,000-a-week, while Just Arsenal claim that Eddie Nketiah is now on the same figure as the Swiss international after signing a new contract at the end of last season.
The rest of Arsenal’s first team squad don’t make the £100,000-a-week-plus cut, with captain Martin Odegaard understood to collect a salary of around £85,000. William Saliba, who is also set to be offered a new deal, is on £40,000-a-week.
Nonetheless, Arsenal are prioritising tying down Saka to a new bumper contract in an effort to ward off interest from the likes of Man City and Liverpool, with the Daily Mail reporting that a formal offer of close to £200,000-a-week has been handed to the England international.
Saka has been linked with a move to Jurgen Klopp’s side throughout the year, while Pep Guardiola can offer him the guarantee of regular silverware at the Etihad Stadium following Man City’s reported interest in the 21-year-old. Rivals Manchester United, are also said to be keen.
As for Martinelli, the Brazilian sensation is also expected to put pen-to-paper on fresh terms - but only if Arsenal treble his wages. That’s according to the Daily Mail, with the Arsenal winger wanting around £270,000-a-week, although that would put him on par, if not above, star striker Jesus as the highest earner at the Emirates.
Following news of Saka’s £200,000-a-week proposal, Martinelli’s advisors are aiming to point him in the same direction, although it is unlikely he would earn more than his English teammate. However, Liverpool are admirers of the youngster, while Chelsea are lurking in the wings should a fresh deal fail to materialise.
The ball is effectively in Martinelli and Saka’s courts when it comes to negotiating new deals. It’s hard to imagine that there are many suitors who would not take up the opportunity to sign the pair, and they both know it, so Arsenal must act fast and come to an agreement before it’s too late.
Top Arsenal earners
Gabriel Jesus - £265,000
Thomas Partey - £200,000
Oleksandr Zinchenko - £150,000
Ben White - £120,00
Kieran Tierney - £110,000
Granit Xhaka - £100,000
Eddie Nketiah - £100,000
Martin Odegaard - £85,000
Gabriel Martinelli - £70,000
William Saliba - £40,000
Bukayo Saka - £30,000
