Arsenal have been warned that two of Mikel Arteta's star players could “stop and think” about moving to Manchester United if Sheikh Jassim’s Qatari delegation complete a mega-money takeover at Old Trafford. The Glazer family, United's current owners, are considering a full sale of the club with a Qatar-based delegation and Sir Jim Ratcliffe interested in completing a majority takeover.
Erik ten Hag has helped United progress as they fight for Champions League qualification for next season whilst the Gunners are locked in a Premier League title race with Manchester City. Arsenal cannot compete financially in the transfer market with City or United, but winning the English top-flight would help them offer a number of crucial players improved terms to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Bukayo Saka's current contract is set to expire at the end of next season but Arsenal remain confident an agreement can be reached with the Hale End star. Martin Odegaard's current deal runs until 2025 with the Norwegian playmaker likely to be rewarded with a new deal for his brilliant performances this season as Mikel Arteta looks to secure the long-term futures of the core of his squad.
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Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has warned the north Londoners that both club captain Odegaard and talisman Saka could consider offers from United as they may engulf Arteta’s outfit financially with the contracts they could offer their stars, if United did target the Gunners duo. Writing for CaughtOffside, Collymore said: “They [United] can blow most teams out of the water now, let alone under potential Qatari ownership.
“If they [United] get taken over, what’s stopping them from going in for Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka in the summer? You’re not telling me Manchester United’s financial power wouldn’t at least make the Gunners, as well as the players themselves, stop and think.”
Both players seem very settled at the Emirates Stadium and are enjoying their football under Arteta. The competitiveness in the Premier League could see Arsenal's current situation change next season and if they find themselves swapping places with United following a potential takeover, a number of star players may have their heads turned as they eye success in their personal careers.
According to CIES Football Observatory, Saka is valued at €120million (£105million), whilst Odegaard is valued at €100million (£87.5million). Should both players sign new deals then it would see their values sky rocket once again meaning if United were to make a move for the star duo, it would cost them an insane amount of money - something that already isn't really an issue at Old Trafford, but would be eased even more by Qatari investment.
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