Gunners ready to make Saka their highest-paid player with £300k-a-week deal
Bukayo Saka is edging closer to signing a new long-term contract at Arsenal, with the club prepared to commit around £80 million to secure the future of their most valuable star. Sporting director Andrea Berta has made significant progress during talks held over the November international break, and an agreement to make Saka the club’s best-paid player is now viewed as a matter of time.
Since joining in March, Berta has prioritised keeping Arsenal’s core intact, extending several key contracts. Now, the club’s most important renewal is nearly complete — and new financial details shed light on the scale of the investment.
Arsenal’s £80m commitment to Saka: full breakdown of the proposed deal
Speaking to Arsenal Insider, Head of Finance Adam Williams explained that Arsenal expect to pay Saka a basic salary of £300,000 per week, the highest in the club’s history. After National Insurance contributions, the weekly cost rises to almost £350,000, before bonuses and yearly escalators.
Agents’ fees are anticipated to reach seven figures, while Saka’s image-rights agreements could add another 10–20% to the total value of the contract, reflecting his status as one of the Premier League’s most marketable players.
Williams estimates the deal will be worth around £20m per year once all bonuses and provisions are included. Over a four-year minimum contract, that equates to the Gunners’ £80m outlay — a significant investment, but still far cheaper than buying a player of similar calibre and age on the open market.
Crucially, a long-term deal also protects Saka’s transfer value. Currently valued at £94.5m by CIES, his price would “skyrocket” once he signs. And if giants like Real Madrid ever came calling, Arsenal would be in a position to demand an enormous fee.
Arsenal’s wage bill and future financial considerations
Arsenal’s current wage bill stands at £328m, up significantly from the previous year. Williams noted that the Kroenke ownership group recognises wages — not transfer fees — as the most reliable predictor of league success, which explains the heavy emphasis on contract renewals.
However, the financial expert also warned that Arsenal will soon need to monitor their spending. The club is edging close to UEFA’s Squad Cost Ratio limit for the 2025 assessment period, though they should narrowly comply. In the future, they may need to reduce wages or sell higher earners such as Gabriel Jesus to ensure sustainability.
For now, though, securing Saka’s prime years is the priority. A new deal would be seen as one of the biggest off-pitch wins of the Arteta era — and a statement that Arsenal intend to remain among Europe’s elite.
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