Bukayo Saka is close to agreeing on a new contract with Arsenal and the Gunners are set to commit to an outlay of around £80 million.
Arsenal Insider reported last week that Andrea Berta has made good progress with Saka’s camp over a deal and has informed the club’s hierarchy that a deal is now close.
The Gunners’ sporting director stepped up talks over the November international break, and an agreement to make him the club’s best-paid player is now just a matter of time.
Since arriving at the Emirates Stadium back in March, Berta has renewed several players’ contracts. To assess the North London club’s current wage bill, Arsenal Insider has spoken to the site’s Head of Finance, Adam Williams.
Bukayo Saka during Arsenal Training Session.
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via es
Arsenal’s £80m outlay on Bukayo Saka’s contract
Arsenal are set to commit around £80 million to renew Bukayo Saka’s contract by handing him a club-record deal.
The 24-year-old is set to become the first Arsenal player to earn £300,000 per week, showing just how highly rated he is at the club.
When asked about the full breakdown of the potential deal, Williams told Arsenal Insider: “If Arsenal manage to tie Saka down to a basic wage of £300,000-a-week, they’ll be very satisfied.
“On top of that, National Insurance is 15 per cent, so the cost to the club is nearing £350,000. There will be bonuses related to performance and maybe escalators in the contract each year, too.
“Agents’ fees will also be a chunky seven-figure expense, and image rights can sometimes be worth 10-20 per cent of the total value of a contract like this, especially for a player as marketable as Saka.”
Who is the biggest star in Arsenal’s squad?
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice during Arsenal Official Squad Photo 2025/26
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via
Currently, Saka is estimated to be worth £94.5 million, according to CIES, but that value would skyrocket were he to put pen to paper on a new deal.
“He’s one of the best players in the world, so you have to reward him commensurately. The cost of signing a player of his calibre and age is £100m-plus, but they have developed him at much lower overall expense,” added Williams.
“If he signs a four, five or even six-year deal, you have the player committed for his peak years. If – and I don’t see this situation materialising – there was ever a scenario where, say, Real Madrid came calling, you’ve locked in his value, and Arsenal would get an absolutely huge fee if Saka was determined to leave.
“The total value of the contract is probably going to be around £20m annually after bonuses, fees and other provisions. You’d assume it would be at least a four-year deal, so that’s an £80m outlay total.”
Arsenal might need to reconsider wage bill in the near future
Arsenal’s owners understand that wages are one of the biggest factors in determining success, and that is why they have been so big on renewing their top players.
“The club’s wage bill at the last count was £328m. That was a significant increase from the year before,” Williams said.
“The Kroenke regime recognises that there is a clear correlation between wages and position in the league table – and it’s a much more reliable indicator of success than transfer fees. So if and when the deal is done, it will be seen as a big success.”
Watch Bukayo Saka’s instant reaction to Arsenal’s tifo vs Tottenham Hotspur
It’s not an issue for now, but further down the line, the Gunners might need to think about bringing their wage bill down, which could involve selling top earners like Gabriel Jesus.
Finally, Arsenal Insider financial expert stated: “The one slight concern Arsenal have is UEFA’s Squad Cost Ratio rule. They are going to be quite close to the limit for the 2025 assessment period, although they should just about be okay. The challenge going forward will be increasing revenue faster than wages.”
Be the first to comment