Bukayo Saka started England's first game of the World Cup. Gareth Southgate opted to start Arsenal's youngster on the right wing to complement Harry Kane, who led the line. He certainly repaid the favour as his two goals helped the Three Lions to a rampant 6-2 victory over Iran. It meant that Saka scored his first goal in a major international tournament in his young career.
While this was certainly a benefit for England and Saka, scoring on a major footballing stage is likely to grab the attention of the biggest clubs in the world. And with Arsenal currently looking to tie the Englishman to a new contract, his World Cup success could make this more difficult.
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There had already been questions surrounding Saka's future at the Emirates Stadium, in particular recently, as his contract situation is beginning to reach a precarious stage. He currently has a little under two years remaining on his current deal and is approaching the stage where a renewal must happen sooner rather than later.
According to 90min, Real Madrid and Manchester City are among the sides monitoring Saka, which Arsenal and the player are aware of, but there's growing confidence that fresh terms will be signed off before the new year.
Towards the end of last season, Saka was viewed as one of the club's most valuable assets and football.london understood that the Gunners had made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old is currently valued at anything up to €120million (£104million), according to CIES Football Observatory.
Arsenal are said to be pushing hard to tie Saka down to a new long-term contract. The report from 90min goes on to claim that Edu believes the deal is on the right track, and despite Real Madrid's interest, the Gunners are hopeful that he will have put pen to paper by January.
Saka is in the top five for appearances made for Arsenal before turning 20, meaning he is above Arsenal legends such as David Rocastle and Liam Brady. He has been used more than any other player by Mikel Arteta since he took charge of the team in 2019, highlighting why it is pivotal that the Gunners tie Saka to a new contract.
But, with the youngster raising his profile in the World Cup, Arsenal's negotiations for the youngster may prove more difficult to overcome.
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