Former Premier League winner Sol Campbell has told his former club Arsenal to give Bukayo Saka a new contract to keep him out of the hands of Liverpool.
The Reds have been linked with a move for the shining star out of Arsenal's Hale End Academy as Jurgen Klopp looks to bolster the team's attacking options.
At just 20-years-old, Saka has become not only a leading player for the Gunners but has impressed on the international stage with England and played a part in their Euro 2020 success in reaching the final.
His growing reputation in football has naturally led to transfer speculation to a bigger club.
READ MORE: 'Man City do ridiculous things' - Jurgen Klopp outlines challenge facing Liverpool and Chelsea
Given the manner in which current and former Premier League champions have raided Arsenal over the years for their best players, from Ashley Cole joining Chelsea to a host of players joining Man City over the years, it is no surprise Saka is being touted to leave north London for Merseyside.
Saka's current contract expires in 2024 but given his current standing not only in the Premier League but in European football, Campbell has told his ex-club to not delay and 'protect' and 'secure' the versatile player down long-term.
When speaking to talkSPORT, the former Arsenal defender said: "When you get young players who just come out and do really, really well, you've got to protect them, you've got to secure them.
"They're the lifeblood for the fans, for their country, England, and especially Arsenal. You cannot allow top, top players to run their contracts down and move on because you are taking too long.
"It’s happened before but that was all about big, big money, it took a long time to secure their contracts – why?
"When a club takes so long to secure the future of a player, if you wait too long, they’re going to get offers from other teams around.
"Sometimes you can agree a price but if you wait six months [to get the deal signed] the price might now be different, it could be more.
"So you’re thinking, why didn’t you secure that price six months ago, when you would have paid less money, secured the player and everyone would be happy, instead of trying to drag it out and trying to be clever with negotiations?"
The winger transfer window opens up on January 1.
