Bukayo Saka signed a shorter contract with Arsenal than had been planned after the club refused to include a release clause in his contract.
The England international signed a new four-year deal earlier this week to finally end speculation over his short-term future.
Saka’s deal triples his basic wage to around £210,000-per-week, and he could even earn up to £300,000-a-week if performance-based add-ons are achieved.
But, while it’s good news for Arsenal that their prized asset has committed his future to the North London club, negotiations were not plain sailing.
That’s because Saka’s representatives pushed hard for a release clause to be inserted into any new contract.
Release clauses are more commonplace in mainland Europe, but it has now started to creep into English football.
But, Arsenal rejected the demand to include one as they felt it would weaken their position in years to come, according to Daily Mail.
But Saka’s team eventually responded by agreeing to a shorter length deal than the Gunners were hoping for.
Saka’s four-year deal takes him until the year 2027, when Arsenal were hoping he’d commit to a six-year contract.
It means Arsenal will reevaluate Saka’s position in two years’ time, when he’ll either be given new terms or considered for sale.
