Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is currently busy trying to lock down a host of key players to new contracts, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t got one eye on the January transfer window.
Arsenal eye new Saka, Timber, Odegaard and Rice deals
After securing star defender William Saliba until 2030, in what was a major boost for Mikel Arteta, Berta is now working to tie down the likes of Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and club captain Martin Odegaard.
Goalkeeper David Raya, much like Leandro Trossard, was also awarded improved contract terms without an official club announcement, which sees him earn a deserved pay rise after establishing himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe.
Rank
Player
Age
Club
Nation
1
Gianluigi Donnarumma
26
Man City
Italy
2
Alisson
33
Liverpool
Brazil
3
David Raya
30
Arsenal
Spain
4
Jan Oblak
32
Atletico Madrid
Slovenia
5
Diogo Costa
25
FC Porto
Portugal
Back-to-back Golden Glove awards sum up Raya’s exceptional displays between the sticks, and he’s throughly deserving of his reported pay rise.
As a matter of more urgency, considering his current deal expires in 2027, it is imperative that Arsenal agree an extension with Saka next. The 24-year-old is their arguable star player, and this isn’t lost on Berta.
The Italian could even make Saka the club’s first £300,000-per-week player in an attempt to lock him down, and he’s also held talks with both Odegaard and Rice over potential fresh terms.
“After Saliba and Saka, there was Timber but Raya, Odegaard and Rice too – they have all had conversations with Andrea Berta,” journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR Football recently.
“Raya is 30 with three-and-a-half years left on his contract, they could have left it – like with Timber – but they are recognising players for their form and their stance in the squad and the game in general.
“And you have to do this really, if you are making Saliba one of the highest-paid defenders in the Premier League and are ready to make Saka the first 300k a week player, it makes sense.”
Other reports claim that Arsenal are optimistic Saka will sign a new contract before Christmas, but while the England international’s discussions go on, Berta is also reportedly making some mid-season transfer plans.
Arsenal were among the Premier League’s biggest spenders last summer, investing north of £250 million on eight major signings.
However, they could attack the market again to provide competition for Martin Zubimendi in midfield.
Arsenal preparing January move for Barcelona star Marc Casado
That is according to reports from Spain, as it is believed that the North Londoners are very keen on Barcelona’s Marc Casado.
The 22-year-old has featured regularly under Hansi Flick this season, but is struggling overall to establish himself as a mainstay starter amid the fierce competition for places.
Arsenal are apparently preparing to make a January move for Casado, who is valued at around £26 million, and Berta could make a “reasonable offer” for the Spaniard mid-season in a bid to challenge Zubimendi and provide astute back-up.
Christian Norgaard was signed from Brentford as a utility player, but the Dane has already admitted that he’ll likely leave Arsenal in the next two to three years as he eyes a future return to Brondby.
With Norgaard’s long-term future away from N5, Casado’s could be brought in to bolster Arteta’s midfield for years to come, and it is worth noting that he’s very highly-rated by his La Liga peers.
“He’s an animal,” said Bryan Zaragoza after Casado made his first senior start for Spain last year.
“I don’t even know what to say about how he played. He’s barbaric.”
