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Andrea Berta has made quite the impression since taking the reins at Arsenal, but there's still plenty of work to be done
As many as six Arsenal players could be in line for a contract extension once Bukayo Saka puts pen to paper on a new deal. The Gunners winger has recently entered the final 18-months of his stay at the Emirates Stadium, but Andrea Berta looks set to secure his long-term future.
football.london understands that Saka has agreed to sign a lucrative new contract which keeps him in north London until June 2031. The Arsenal sporting director was keen to wrap up a deal with the England international, having tied down Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhaes to new terms earlier this season.
Berta has made quite the impression since taking the reins, but there's still plenty of work to be done. So, with that being said, football.london has looked at who Berta should pull into his office next.
Jurrien Timber
football.london understands that Arsenal are keen to extend Timber's stay at the Emirates Stadium. The 24-year-old defender, whom the Gunners signed from Ajax for £34million during the summer of 2023, signed a five-year contract upon his arrival in north London.
He still has two-and-a-half-years left on his deal, but Berta wants to secure his long-term future. After bouncing back from a nasty injury in his debut campaign, Timber has managed to establish himself as a key player in Arteta's side.
Declan Rice
It's understood that Arsenal are also keen to tie Rice down to a new deal. The 26-year-old midfielder, whom the Gunners signed from West Ham for £100million, plus £5million in add-ons, during the summer of 2023, penned a five-year contract in north London, though his agreement included the option of a further 12 months.
Rice has featured in all but four of the north Londoners' fixtures in the Premier League since swapping the London Stadium for the Emirates, scoring 15 goals and providing 21 assists. Like Timber, the England international has become a stalwart in Arteta's side.
Gabriel Martinelli
While Martinelli may not be a priority for Berta at the moment, he's recently entered the final 18 months of his contract. The 24-year-old winger has struggled to kick on since the 2022/23 campaign, where he registered 21 goal contributions in the Premier League, but he's remained a somewhat valuable squad player.
Gabriel Jesus
Jesus has also just entered the final year-and-a-half of his stay at the Emirates Stadium, which naturally raises question marks ahead of the summer transfer window. The 28-year-old striker returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines not too long ago, yet he's still managed to show his quality.
Christian Norgaard
Norgaard only joined Arsenal from Brentford for £15million in the summer, but he, too, has just 18 months left on his contract. The 31-year-old midfielder has rarely played for the Gunners, missing the start of the campaign due to injury.
Leandro Trossard
Last, but no means least, Trossard. The 31-year-old winger put pen to paper on improved terms back in August, but it didn't extend his contract. Like Martinelli, Jesus, and Norgaard, he's only got 18 months left.
football.london understands that Arsenal wanted to reward Trossard for his contributions and agree a deal that reflected his standing in the group with others of similar seniority and importance.
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