Arsenal hold talks with three more players as Mikel Arteta given green light to splash cash

Arsenal are reportedly working on agreeing new contracts with three key players. There has understandably been plenty of discussion about the £200million-plus Arsenal splurged on eight summer signings, having recently enjoyed arguably the best transfer window in the club’s history.

But perhaps equally as important has been sporting director Andrea Berta's less glamorous work, which has been tying down the club’s important players to new deals since his arrival earlier this year. Berta has negotiated new deals with Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba in recent months.

He also agreed to pay increases with David Raya and Leandro Trossard over the summer months. That has proven crucial in preventing and dispelling any noise around potential exits, and helping the Gunners maintain a squad of players which are currently sitting top of the Premier League table.

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But Arteta and Berta are not resting on their laurels. BBC Sportreports they have now shifted their efforts to securing a new long-term contract for talisman Bukayo Saka.

The 24-year-old, who has captained the side this season in the absence of Martin Odegaard, has entered the final two years of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.

But the report claims significant progress has already been made in talks between the club and Saka, amid a growing expectation that the academy graduate will sign a new deal.

The England winger is already one of the highest earners at the club and is set to receive a salary which underpins his importance to Arteta’s project.

Arteta was recently asked about Saka’s contract extension, to which he replied: "I would love that. From everything that I know, he is a player that is extremely happy, and proud to have the role that he has at the football club. Things will develop in a natural way, like they always do, and everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us. Hopefully, we can do it."

The same source claims the Gunners have also entered negotiations with defender Jurrien Timber, whose deal is set to expire in June 2028. The 24-year-old Dutchman has been one of Arsenal’s best performers this season.

Having become a nailed-on starter since a serious knee injury ruled him out of almost his entire first campaign with the north London side, his new deal is expected to reflect his current role.

It is believed that after Saka and Timber’s contracts are resolved, the club will turn its attention to agreeing an upgraded package with a third key player in Declan Rice, who also has two-and-a-half years left on his contract.

Rice, whosigned for the club in July 2023 from West Ham, is an integral part of the Gunners’ midfield and has added more strings to his bow in the past year, namely with his pinpoint set-piece taking and more goals.