Arsenal have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Bukayo Saka to extend his contract to June 2028.

The 21-year-old winger’s existing deal was due to expire next summer, but he is expected to become one of Arsenal’s top earners, with his wages in the region of £200,000-a-week.

It has always been Saka’s intention to sign a new deal with the club he first joined in 2008, and his form this season has not done his negotiating position any harm. Saka has scored nine league goals from the right wing to help Arsenal reach the top of the Premier League table.

Only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne has more than Saka’s eight league assists.

Gabriel Martinelli renewed his contract until 2027 earlier this month, and after securing Saka’s signature, the focus will shift to new deals for Aaron Ramsdale and William Saliba.

Talks to extend Ramsdale’s deal beyond 2025 are expected to be relatively straightforward.

Saliba, who joined the team from Saint-Étienne in 2019, has developed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhães in the centre of the defence. The 21-year-old’s current contract is set to expire in 2024.

Saka’s agreement is a major boost for Arsenal, as the 21-year-old has admirers all over Europe.

He has previously been linked with Manchester City and Liverpool, but the Gunners have always been hopeful they could keep a player who came through Hale End.