Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka committed his long-term future to the club earlier this week, penning a new four-year contract.
Saka was rewarded for hard work on and off the pitch by officially putting pen-to-paper on a new deal with the north Londoners and as the deal is thought to be worth at least £200,000-a-week, but could rise to £300,000-a-week due to bonuses, he becomes the club's best-paid player. Now, the Mail have reported that there were requests during the talks to include a release clause within the 21-year-old's new deal.
However, Mikel Arteta's side rejected these proposals, instead agreeing to reduce the length of their initial proposal to the player. It is claimed that the Gunners are reluctant to give their players set release clauses, instead entrusting sporting director Edu and the rest of their transfer team to negotiate.
READ MORE: New Arsenal 2023/24 Adidas kit leak as home shirt pictured amid Bukayo Saka reveal
One club that regretted inserting a release clause into one of their star player's contracts was La Liga giants Barcelona, who set Neymar's release clause at €222million (£198million) when he arrived at the Camp Nou back in 2013. At the time, the world-record transfer fee was less than half of that and the Blaugrana presumed it was an unrealistic number for any club to offer.
But Paris Saint-Germain activated the clause in the summer of 2017, leaving the Catalan club powerless. Perhaps Arsenal are wary of a similar saga involving Saka, who has established himself as one of their most consistent performers in recent times.
In fact, the Hale End academy graduate is the only player to register double figures for both goals and assists this season, netting 13 times and providing a further 11 assists.
Who is your Arsenal player of the season? Have your say by voting below!
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's next Bukayo Saka in line for big Wolves chance after 'ruining defender' in training
Three things that will 'definitely' happen to Arsenal if Chelsea land £130m Victor Osimhen deal
Arsenal have bid for perfect Ben White backup rejected as Edu told to pay £21.7m asking price
Arsenal transfer target prepares for huge transfer with Jack Grealish repeat
Arsenal news and transfer LIVE: All the latest updates from the Emirates Stadium
