The talented youngster’s contract expires next summer, and a former Arsenal striker wonders why the club has not taken advantage of the league break to tie down the Anglo-Nigerian lad to a longer contract
Kevin Campbell has charged his former side Arsenal to move quickly and commit Bukayo Saka to a new contract as the gifted teenager has already shown that he can develop into a world-class star.
Saka has been a revelation this term for the Gunners, excelling in an unfamiliar left-back role. The kid wonder, coupled with his sweet left foot, is unnervingly calm in possession, has courage, and possesses a final telling ball.
The 18-year-old has made 29 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, scoring three times.
With a further nine assists, Saka has more assists than any other Premier League teenager this season.
However, the England youth international has less than 18 months left in his current contract at the Emirates Stadium, and there have been rumours that Arsenal could lose one of their most prized assets.
Despite football being on a coronavirus-induced break, Arsenal and Saka are yet to conclude contract negotiations that commenced months ago.
But Campbell, who won the European Cup Winners’ Cup with Arsenal in 1994, has urged Arsenal executives to secure the promising winger’s future as soon as possible.
“Saka, he came in virtually under the radar, and you look at the position he plays on the left side, [he has] done well in the league, done well in Europe, had to cover at left-back and done very well at that. He’s definitely one for the here and now, and the future,” Campbell told the Metro.
“I just think it was going to be a case of them negotiating at the end of the season, and then tying him down to a nice long-term contract.
“I can’t see Arsenal letting him go, he’s young, he’s a gifted player, and if you let these young gifted players out the building, then you’ve got nothing really.
“I think it will get done, it’s just a case of when. I would like to see them move and get it done now. Why wait until the summer?”