Arsenal's priority ahead of the summer transfer window has become clearer than ever before following England's win over Ukraine. Bukayo Saka provided the cross for Harry Kane, who put the Three Lions ahead at Wembley, before he doubled his country's lead just minutes later with a spectacular strike from range.
While higher-ups at the Emirates Stadium would probably prefer to sit back and marvel at the 21-year-old's performances between now and the end of the season, they're in a race against time to keep him at the club. Saka faces a fairly uncertain future in north London having recently entered the final 18 months of his deal.
football.london understands that the Gunners remain locked in talks with the Hale End graduate over a potential extension and it's said that negotiations are progressing positively. Speaking ahead of Arsenal's trip to Leicester City last month, Mikel Arteta was coy about Saka's future but insisted that he intends on tying his best players down to long-term deals.
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"We want to keep our best players - the players we are developing," the Spaniard said. Then, when asked what a new deal for the winger would mean for the club, Arteta replied: "That's what we have to do, that's our responsibility. To keep our best players, our best people. Those that have the same aims and same purposes as the club."
However, if Arsenal cannot reach an agreement with Saka over a new contract then he'll likely be available for a cut-price fee. If the England international still hasn't signed an extension by January then he'll then become eligible to entertain pre-contract talks with foreign clubs.
William Saliba also sees his deal with the Gunners expire at the end of next season and a number of top-flight European clubs have already begun to monitor his situation. football.london understand that talks with the France international are also progressing well over a fresh contract.
Even if Arsenal do manage to tie Saka and Saliba down to long-term contract, Edu still has to juggle what ever the transfer window throws at him. Arteta is believed to be in the market for a new midfielder this summer and he's got several names on his list.
football.london understands that the north Londoners still want to sign Declan Rice despite having signed Jorginho in January. Arsenal were also heavily linked with Moises Caicedo but, despite the Brighton star's best efforts to force a move, a switch failed to materialise.
It's also understood that Arteta holds an interest in Martin Zubimendi. Edu tried to bring the Real Sociedad star to north London in January as well, but the Spanish side were adamant that he would not leave as they eye Champions League qualification.
With the summer transfer window on the horizon, Arsenal certainly look like they'll have their work cut out. But, one thing for sure is that handing Saka a new contract is the priority, right?
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