Bukayo Saka has been magnificent for Arsenal so far in the current campaign as the youngster has played a major part in Arsenal’s push for the Premier League title. His importance to the team is epitomised by the fact that he has contributed the most assists this season.
There had been speculation surrounding his future as he is yet to sign a new deal. But Arsenal must make securing his future a priority over the summer, as his impact highlighted how important he is to the team.
In order to secure Saka’s contract, the Gunners may receive a helping hand from Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid. This comes after a reported return in negotiations between the two parties.
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According to the Athletic, Real Madrid remain interested in Kylian Mbappe and the expectation is that there will be a market for the player in the summer of 2023. Mbappe shocked the footballing world in the previous summer, when he rejected Los Blancos’ advances and signed a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain.
This comes after 90min reported that Real Madrid and Manchester City were among the sides monitoring Saka, which Arsenal and the player are aware of, but there's growing confidence that fresh terms will be signed off before the new year.
Towards the end of last season, the Englishman was viewed as one of the club's most valuable assets and football.london understood that the Gunners had made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old is currently valued at £84million, according to CIES Football Observatory.
Arsenal are said to be pushing hard to tie Saka down to a new long-term contract. The report goes on to claim that Edu believes all the deal is on the right track, with the Gunners hopeful that all three youngsters in Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba and Saka will have put pen to paper by January.
With Saka and Mbappe operating in the same area of the pitch, acquiring both players may not be worth the financial package required for a double signing. And it would appear that Mbappe is Real Madrid’s main target due to the attempts to sign him in previous seasons.
Saka became the second youngest player to reach 100 Premier League appearances following Arsenal's 3-0 win against Bournemouth in August, with only Cesc Fabregas ranking above him.
The academy graduate is also in the top five for appearances made for Arsenal before turning 20, meaning he is above Arsenal legends such as David Rocastle and Liam Brady, and has been used more than any other player by Mikel Arteta since he took charge of the team in 2019, highlighting why it is pivotal that the Gunners tie Saka to a new contract, while Mbappe's contract situation could hand Edu a major boost in keeping the Englishman at the club.
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