Former England midfielder, Ray Parlour has called on Arsenal management to extend Bukayo Saka’s contract in a bid to keep him to the club.
The 21-year-old came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy before making his senior first-team debut back in 2018. The youngster has developed significantly under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta over the last few campaigns and has now established himself as an integral part of the Spanish boss’ system.
Saka still has two years left in his current contract with Arsenal, plus an option to extend the deal for one more year. Despite being in no danger of losing the player any time soon, the club’s hierarchy are keen on tying the youngster down into a new long-term contract before he attracts interest from elsewhere amid his excellent form.
However, Parlour in a chat with Sportslens, said that the Gunners must do everything possible to tie down Saka.
“I just hope he signs up for Arsenal very quickly, that’s what I’m more worried about,” sportslens.com/UK quoted Parlour as saying.
“We need to get him tied down, as well as Martinelli, Saliba and the other youngsters and hopefully that will happen soon. Saka is similar to Bellingham in some ways, he’s becoming a huge star and he’s got the same work ethic too.”
Parlour also feels that teenage sensation Jude Bellingham would be a good addition to Gunners squad to bolster their midfield but concedes that other Premier League clubs will be out to get his signature.
“I think Arsenal definitely need another midfielder but whether they’ll be willing to spend the amount of money Dortmund are going to be asking i don’t know,” Parlour said.
“You’re going to be looking at £100m plus add ons but he’s certainly a fantastic talent he really is but Liverpool will be in the market for him and Manchester City too.
“There will be loads of offers but I just wish he comes back to the Premier League. I can see why Birmingham retired his shirt now because they knew just how good he’s going to be.”
“At the moment I’m sure his agent and Dortmund will be rubbing their hands together because everytime he plays his price goes up by £10m or £20m.
“It will be interesting to see what happens going forward but I do see him coming back to the Premier League one day but where he goes and how much he goes for will be really interesting to see.”
Saka has scored 21 goals in 111 games for Arsenal, he has also netted three goals in three games for the Three Lions of England at Qatar 2022.
Bellingham has scored seven goals in 76 appearances for Borussia Dortmund and he has a goal and an assist in four games for England at Qatar 2022.
England tackle France in their quarter final match on December 10 at the Al Bayt Stadium.
