Arsenal's golden boy Bukayo Saka could boast the upper hand when the time comes for him and his representatives to enter negotiations with the Gunners over a new contract.
Saka last penned an extension in 2020 shortly after Arsenal's FA Cup triumph, but with two years left to run the club are keen on tying his future to a new deal that would go on beyond 2024. With that being said, the club may have to start making some assurances to the England international before he puts pen to paper a second time.
What differs from the last time he signed an extension is the fact that Saka is no longer a promising young academy hopeful, he is now a fully-fledged star in his own right who spent the last season effectively carrying the club's fortunes on his back.
The 20-year-old is represented by the same agency as two other Hale End graduates, Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah. Both of that aforementioned duo were recently handed hefty pay-rises as well as a contract extension, meaning those negotiating on their behalf clearly know what it takes to get some extra money out of Arsenal.
It has been suggested that the Gunners' recent pursuit of Leeds United winger Raphinha was not only designed to bolster their squad depth with an incredibly talented wide-man but also hand them something to cling on to when the time came to negotiate with Saka and his team.
As of right now, if Saka were to report any desire to leave the club it would spell disaster for Arsenal - he is undoubtedly the face, the poster boy of the project Mikel Arteta is overseeing at the Emirates. Had Raphinha arrived, while any potential Saka exit in the coming summers would have been felt sorely - it would not have been catastrophic.
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However, Arsenal's attempt to gain some bargaining power over their young number seven has seemingly backfired as Raphinha looks very likely to end up a Chelsea player after the Blues gazumped the Gunners' most recent offer. The new Todd Boehly-led Stamford Bridge outfit slapped down £55million plus add-ons for the Brazilian's signature and all that is left to do now is agree personal terms.
As for Arsenal, it is a case of going back to the drawing board if the plan is to still bring in another right-sided forward to offer competition to the currently indispensable Saka. There are a few names the Gunners could look to open talks with, but none with the quality of Raphinha and certainly not of the quality of their current right-sided star.
Next summer, if Saka is still yet to have signed any extension with the club and has by that time just one year left to run before potentially leaving on a free - Arsenal may be at the financial mercy of their home-grown superstar.
