CONFIRMED: BUKAYO SAKA FINALIZING ARSENAL CONTRACT EXTENSION UNTIL 2030
Arsenal are in the final stages of agreeing a new contract with Bukayo Saka that will extend his stay until 2030. The Gunners are hopeful the England international will sign the deal before the end of the year.
Saka Set To Sign New Contract
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is reportedly set to sign a new contract extension with the Gunners that will run until 2030. Talks with the Premier League leaders are now said to be in their "final stages," and Mikel Arteta's side are hopeful the England international will put pen to paper on his new contract at the club before the end of the calendar year.
Arsenal lock down Bukayo Saka
Saka's current contract runs until 2027, but an agreement has been struck for the forward to sign an extension until 2030, according to RMC Sport. Negotiations are ongoing, but both sides are now confident of reaching an agreement soon. Arsenal would like the new deal to be signed off on before the end of the year as they look to secure the future of one of their brightest stars. Saka joined Arsenal at the age of seven and has come all the way through the academy and into the first team in north London.
Saka spoke about his future earlier this year, making it clear he wants to win trophies. He told reporters, “I want to win and I want to win wearing this badge. It is pretty clear, the fans know how much I love them. You saw when I came on on Tuesday, they love me back. So it is a good relationship. I am really happy to be hear and I am focused on winning. I don’t think anyone is really in a rush. I have got two years left on my contract, so it’s pretty relaxed. Everyone knows my thoughts, and I’ve let you guys know as well, so I don’t think there is much else really.”
The forward won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2020 but was an unused substitute in the final. He'll be hoping he can add more silverware in the current campaign, with the Gunners currently top of the standings in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Saka is back with Arsenal after international duty with England and is gearing up for some huge fixtures with the Gunners. Arteta's side face a north London derby against neighbours Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday and then face Bayern in the Champions League. Arsenal and Bayern are two of only three teams left in the competition with a 100% record, meaning something will have to give at the Emirates in a week. The Gunners then head to Chelsea for another huge Premier League fixture.
GABRIEL JESUS CLARIFIES FUTURE AS ARSENAL PUTS FOUR STARS UP FOR SALE
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus dismisses January exit rumours, affirming his commitment to stay until his contract ends in 2027. The Brazilian is focused on recovering from an ACL injury and returning to the squad.
Jesus Breaks Silence, he has been linked with a move away from Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus has responded to rumours that Arsenal may consider bids for him in the upcoming season.
Four players may have been added to the club's transfer list before January, according to reports this week. Along with Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, and Ethan Nwaneri, Jesus is reportedly one of them; nevertheless, only a loan swap may be considered for the 18-year-old.
During his time at Arsenal, Jesus experienced several injury setbacks. He is currently recuperating from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury he suffered during the FA Cup third round last season. According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal wants the Brazilian to be available for the January transfer window because they might decide to let go of the striker if an "acceptable" offer comes in.
He has ruled out leaving the Gunners before his contract expires in the summer of 2027, even if he would eventually wish to rejoin his childhood team, Palmeiras.
He said Globo Esporte, "I am very grateful to Palmeiras, it is the club I support and I have made it plain to some players there that one day I would come back."
"But not right now, I am under contract with Arsenal until 2027, and I want to stay here. If all parties agree that we can not extend beyond that, at least until 2027, I will be here."
Jesus also briefly talked about his injury, stating that it has not had a big impact on his mental health. "As strange as it is, mentally I have been okay," he continued.
"I was able to stay at home and spend time with them because my wife was expecting our second kid at the time, and I already had a daughter. That was crucial for me, and it greatly assisted me in not concentrating on the injury."
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said earlier this month, "I do not know," when asked about Jesus' possible comeback from injury. "Now it is about making the steps day by day in a different atmosphere," he said.
"Obviously, he has been doing everything by himself. Now that he is surrounded by players who are very competitive, we will see how he handles it.
"But he is full of excitement. I love the reaction of all his teammates when he first joined us, and sure, nice to have him back."
DEAL CLOSED: ARSENAL TERMINATES HIGH-PROFILE PARTNERSHIP WITH VISIT RWANDA
Arsenal and Visit Rwanda will mutually end their sleeve sponsorship deal in June 2026 after eight seasons. The partnership, which began in 2018, had faced criticism from human rights groups and fan protests.
Arsenal ended its eight-year Visit Rwanda deal
After eight seasons, Arsenal has stated that its sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda would expire in June 2026.
The decision to finalise the agreement was mutual, according to a statement released by Arsenal on Wednesday, and it reflected the East African Tourism Board's objectives to "diversify its worldwide sports alliances and develop into new areas."
According to club records for 2023–2024, the agreement with Arsenal's first sleeve sponsor started in 2018 and raked in £10 million ($13.4 million).
The Athletic revealed in October that the Premier League team was in negotiations to extend the partnership once more when it was renewed in 2021, despite criticism and protests from supporters due to the affiliation with Visit Rwanda.
Gunners For Peace (GFP), an Arsenal supporter group, protested the sponsorship in April. The talks around the pact extension "show the world that our famous 'values' and our soul are for sale," according to a statement they released in October.
James Turner of GFP responded to the news on Wednesday by saying, "This is a Big Club choice." Money speaks, as we all know, but if supporters band together and raise their voices, they will have to pay attention.
It demonstrates that Arsenal Football Club still possesses the dignity and morals necessary to act morally. The gunners have moved closer to peace by renouncing this agreement.
Paul Kagame, the head of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) party, is an Arsenal supporter. Due to Rwanda's backing of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UK government halted aid to the country in February.
According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) World Report from 2023, the RPF "continued to launch a campaign against genuine and perceived opponents of the government," "over a dozen political opposition members are in prison," and many are "being prosecuted or have been convicted on dubious grounds."
"The dedication and support of Visit Rwanda throughout our collaboration has played a vital role in bringing forward our aspirations – helping us invest in our long-term vision to win major trophies, in a financially sustainable way," stated Richard Garlick, CEO of Arsenal. We are grateful to the Rwanda Development Board for our collaboration and the results we have produced.
Additionally, Visit Rwanda has sponsorship agreements with La Liga team Atletico Madrid, Ligue 1 team Paris Saint-Germain, NBA team LA Clippers, and NFL team Los Angeles Rams—all of which are owned by American tycoon Stan Kroenke, just like Arsenal. However, Bayern Munich declared in August that it was "transitioning away" from a business arrangement to one focused on football development.