Arsenal and Bukayo Saka believe they’re now close to agreeing on a deal for a new contract, according to a report.

Following a report earlier this week that Arsenal technical director Edu believes a new deal for Bukayo Saka is on track and should be done by the end of the year, Pete O’Rourke has given an update on the situation.

“It seems all the noises coming out of Arsenal – from their camp as well as Saka’s camp – is that this deal is very close to being agreed, which will be a huge boost to everybody connected to the club,” O’Rourke said.

Saka currently has a deal lasting until 2024, so the Gunners will be keen to tie him down for the long term.

Saka recently told the media he shares Mikel Arteta’s confidence that a new deal would be agreed, after Arteta had said: “I’m very confident that we as a club, Bukayo and his family and his agent are very much aligned on what we want to achieve.

“I would like that to get done because I don’t want the player or anybody distracted in the middle of the season, but those things take time and have to go through the right process.”

It’s probably a good time for Arsenal to start pushing Saka to commit. The Gunners are currently top of the table, with the team performing well even when Saka himself isn’t scoring.

There’s a genuine belief at the moment that the team can secure a return to the Champions League and perhaps win a trophy this season. You definitely want to take advantage when spirits are high.