Arsenal reportedly have an agreement in principle with Bukayo Saka over a new contract, but the source isn’t a reliable one.

Arsenal's English midfielder Bukayo Saka holds the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Bukayo Saka holds the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 1, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Wayne Veysey reports for Football Insider that Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle on a new five-year deal for Bukayo Saka, increasing his salary to nearly £200,000 a week.

The report suggests Saka is now “ready to sign”, after being convinced by the team’s progress under Mikel Arteta.

Veysey doesn’t have a particularly good reputation among Arsenal fans, so they’ll probably want to wait for other sources to confirm the news before getting too excited.

But even for a large figure in the region of £200,000 a week, you’d expect the fans to be on board if it means tying Saka down for the long term.

The Daily Mail wrote this week that Arsenal’s priority is to extend Saka’s contract, and there’s confidence from the club that a deal can be struck.

The 21-year-old has made a strong start to the season, linking well with Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli in the table-topping Arsenal front three.

Saka has a goal and four assists in his first eight Premier League games of the campaign, and his performances have been impressive for more than just those goal contributions.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England replaces Phil Foden of England during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on September 26, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of England replaces Phil Foden of England during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between England and Germany at Wembley Stadium on September 26, 2022. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

At his young age, there seems little risk in giving Saka a long-term deal well beyond the two years he has remaining on his current contract.

Even if he fails to improve on his strong form from the last couple of years, that’s still a player you want in your squad. If he does improve, he could easily become one of the best in the league.