New Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta will be tasked with concluding three key contract renewals as soon as he arrives in north London, TBR Football exclusively understands.
Following a quiet January transfer window, Arsenal are planning to spend big to improve Mikel Arteta’s squad this summer – Berta will be busy at the Emirates Stadium straight from the off.
Berta has already told Arsenal about a striker he admires, a position the Gunners will look to address after their struggles this season.
That being said, sorting out some important contract renewals will also be at the top of Berta’s inbox once he arrives at the club, with three deals in particular standing out.
Arsenal keen to sign Bukayo Saka and two others to lucrative new deals
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Berta will be immediately tasked with finalising new deals for Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Arsenal are determined to get all three renewals done, and talks before the summer are due.
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Before his injury this season, Saka was on course to break the Premier League’s assist record, one held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
And in terms of Gabriel and Saliba’s contributions – Arsenal still have the best defence in the country, even when considering Virgil van Dijk’s efforts at Liverpool.
Therefore, sorting out new deals for three of Arteta’s key performers is seen as a priority by Berta and Arsenal’s team.
All three currently have contracts that run until 2027 and Arsenal are offering the trio pay increases to put them close to top-earner Kai Havertz.
Real Madrid have shown interest in William Saliba
Of course, Real Madrid have shown interest in William Saliba which has hastened Arsenal’s plans to tie the Frenchman down to a new deal.
On their part, Saka and Gabriel have seldom been linked with a move away from the Emirates even if there was some talk of Saudi Arabian interest in Arsenal’s Brazilian defender in the past.
Jamie Carragher has warned Arsenal about Saliba leaving recently, thoughts that have also been echoed by Ian Wright to some degree.
Real Madrid believe that Saliba is on Jude Bellingham’s level, a statement that’s hard to argue with.
And if Arsenal are going to mount a stronger title-challenge next season, Arteta will still need Saliba at the heart of his defence.
