Arsenal resisted demands to insert a release clause in Bukayo Saka’s new contract and instead agreed to give the England forward a shorter deal than many expected, with the 21-year-old signing within another four years this week.
The compromise suits both parties, with Arsenal protecting Saka’s transfer fee and the player keeping his options open if he wants to move for two years, when the club can cash in or offer him another new deal.
Unlike some Premier League clubs, Arsenal are reluctant to follow the European model of giving players a set release clause and prefer to rely on the negotiating skills of their transfer team, led by sporting director Edu.
Saka’s contract trebles his basic wages to around £200,000 a week, but he could earn up to £290,000 if performance targets are met.
Arsenal forward Buyako Saka has been awarded a contract that is shorter than many expected
The club was able to protect Saka’s transfer fee with a compromise that suited both parties
OWNER ABSENT IN CITY BIG FINAL
Sheik Mansour is not planning to attend Manchester City’s Champions League final against Inter Milan, despite his club being on the brink of a historic Treble.
The City owner has spent billions on the club since leading a £265million takeover in 2008, with next month’s final in Istanbul shaping up to be the biggest moment in their 143-year history.
However, he didn’t seem interested in attending. In fact, Mansour has attended just one City game since buying the club – a match against Liverpool in 2009-10 – but watched training when the squad visited Abu Dhabi.
WOOD TO GET TNT EURO ROLE
Laura Woods is set to present TNT Sport’s Champions League coverage next season, with Lynsey Hipgrave continuing to cover Premier League games on the channel that will replace BT Sport.
Mail Sport revealed last week that Woods was in talks with owners Warner Bros Discovery about joining the rebranded channel. Long-serving BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey confirmed his departure after 10 years the following day.
As discussions continued, Woods was offered the chance to replace Humphrey, with Hipgrave retaining the Premier League duties he started at the start of this season.
A Warner Bros. spokesman declined to comment.
Laura Woods is set to present TNT Sport’s Champions League coverage next season
EVERTON BIDDERS EYE OTHERS
Prospective Everton buyers 777 Partners could offer to buy another English club after Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri opted to enter exclusive negotiations with a rival bidder, MSP Sports Capital, today week.
777 are seeking a controlling interest in Everton, while Moshiri only wants to sell a small stake, with MSP in talks to buy 25 percent of the club.
777 owns shares in a wide range of clubs including Sevilla, Hertha Berlin, Standard Liege, Vasco da Gama and Melbourne Victory, and are keen to add an English team to their portfolio.
The Miami-based investment fund has already made successful moves in this country as they own 45 percent of basketball club London Lions, which won the British Basketball League play-offs for the first time this month.
TYLER’S RARE LOSS OF TROPHY
Sky Sports’ top commentator Martin Tyler missed lifting the Premier League trophy for the first time in 20 years because of a sore throat.
The 77-year-old was due to commentate on Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Chelsea, and the subsequent title celebrations at the Etihad Stadium, but was forced to stand, with Rob Hawthorne replacing him.
Tyler followed through despite a sore throat when commentating in Brighton’s 3-0 win at Arsenal last weekend, but his symptoms worsened within a week and he opted to sit out.
He now hopes to return to work for Sky’s coverage of the final day of the Premier League season tomorrow, as well as commentating on the FA Cup final and Champions League final for international broadcasters.
Sky Sports commentator misses lifting Premier League trophy for first time in 20 years
News/Image Sources: Daily Mail
