Bukayo Saka could be quids in on his new deal after his World Cup heroics.
Saka, 21, is in contract negotiations and his current deal has 18 months left with a further one-year option to give Arsenal a safety net. The Gunners winger, who is on around £70,000-a-week, is set for a major rise - and his value is soaring thanks to his outstanding displays for club and country.
It could see him almost TREBLE his money towards £200,000-a-week and be among the club’s top earners as Arsenal look to tie him down for the long term. Arsenal fear that not tying him down before the World Cup will only leave them with a bigger bill because Saka is in huge demand with Europe’s biggest clubs watching developments.
Saka scored twice against Iran, is England’s Player of the Year and has also played a major role in Arsenal’s climb to the top of the Premier League. There would be no shortage of takers and he is proving himself on the biggest stage by being part of Gareth Southgate’s England World Cup squad.
Arsenal remain confident that they will come to agreement - but it could just be more expensive. Arsenal have been clever in their contract negotiations by inserting a two-year option into Gabriel Martinelli’s contract which is also into the final two years, as is their France defender William Saliba.
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Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is now determined to tie down the club’s best youngsters and transfer boss Edu has had lengthy negotiations with all three. They will look to reward Saka, Martinelli and Saliba - but the fact they were not done before the World Cup presents a different risk and the other two will be watching Saka's negotiations closely.
His brace against Iran has only increased his value, and further goals at this World Cup could send his stock spiralling. It's been a long road for Saka since his penalty miss at Euro 2020 and the subsequent racist abuse which followed - but he couldn't hide his delight at scoring on football's biggest stage.
Speaking after the Iran win, he said: "I can't describe the feeling. I am so happy and so proud. We got the win as well, so it is a really special day.
"I feel in a good place. I feel the support and love from the [England] fans, the coaching staff and my team-mates. That is all I need. I feel ready to give 100% and I will continue to do that every time I put the shirt on."
Saka will now be hopeful of retaining his starting place ahead of Manchester City's Phil Foden for Friday's clash with USA. He added: "We needed that good start, we didn't play the best coming in so there was talk and speculation coming into the tournament but we showed them what we’re about and what we can do."
