Bukayo Saka entering 'dangerous territory' as Arsenal prepare to take action

Bukayo Saka could be the next player to sign a new contract at Arsenal, with the winger now entering the final two years of his current deal - a situation a rival Premier League sporting director has described as 'dangerous territory.'

Arsenal have already agreed a new five-year contract with William Saliba, and their next focus is understood to be Saka. football.london previously reported that negotiations are progressing positively with Saka and an agreement is expected.

Saka could become one of the highest-paid players in the Premier League once he puts pen to paper on fresh terms. He has publicly expressed his desire to remain at Arsenal and chase silverware.

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And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has already made his feelings clear over the situation.

"I would love that [for Saka to sign a new deal]," he said.

"From everything that I know, again he’s a player that is extremely happy and proud to be [here] and to have the role that he has in the football club.

"He’s been developing in a natural way like they always do. Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it."

An anonymous fellow Premier League chief offered insight into what happens when players enter the final two years of their contracts.

Speaking to the i Paper, they said: "The third year of a five-year contract is the point at which I always address it. That is the point where you make a decision: keep and give a new contract or consider what selling the player means.

"Fans don't want to hear it but the job of a sporting director is have that long-term idea of where you’re going with that player.

"So that means I have a plan for him staying, we have alternative players on the market who could replace them and we always have an idea of his value."

Saka has been instrumental in Arsenal's rise under Arteta, consistently providing attacking threat and creativity.