Arsenal tie down teenager Saka to long-term deal

Arsenal tied down Bukayo Saka to a long-term contract yesterday, ending speculation over the highly-rated teenager’s future. Saka, 18, has made a major impact in 33 appearances in a variety of positions this season and has been a regular since Mikel Arteta became Arsenal coach in December. “Bukayo is a talented and intelligent young player,” said Arteta. “He has impressed me with his work ethic and attitude to learn and adapt, and it has paid off in his performances. I am excited to continue working with him to develop him further, and for him to help us achieve our goals.”

Saka’s previous deal was due to expire next year, with Liverpool and Chelsea reportedly keen to take advantage of any breakdown in contract negotiations. However, Saka said he is happy to remain with the club he joined at the age of eight. “London is my home. Arsenal my team,” Saka posted on Twitter. “I’m so happy to finally announce my contract extension. I love playing for this club and I’m looking forward to what the future holds. The hard work continues so I can continue living my dream.”

SALIBA SET FOR ARSENAL RETURN AFTER LOAN TALKS WITH ST ETIENNE COLLAPSE

Arsenal will not extend William Saliba’s loan deal at St Etienne after the two clubs failed to agree training and financial terms for the French defender, the Premier League club said. Saliba, who signed for Arsenal from St Etienne last year for a reported 27mn pounds ($33.42mn), was loaned back to the French club for the 2019-20 campaign.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ligue 1 season was terminated early and the Coupe de France final was moved to July 24, several weeks after Saliba’s loan was due to end on June 30.

MARSEILLE SIGN PAPE GUEYE AFTER WATFORD SNUB

Marseille announced the signing of defensive midfielder Pape Gueye on a free transfer from Le Havre after he backed out of a move to Premier League side Watford. The former France Under-19 international had been set to join the Hornets on a five-year deal, but Gueye said last month he would not move to England due to alleged irregularities in the agreement.

Watford announced in April Gueye had signed a pre-contract agreement with the club. Gueye, 21, instead penned a four-year contract with Marseille before joining his new teammates at a training camp in Portugal. He made 25 appearances for Le Havre in Ligue 2 this season before the campaign was declared over in April due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gueye is Marseille’s first new arrival of the summer. The club has also tied down defender Alvaro Gonzalez to a three-year deal following a successful spell on loan from Villarreal.

PSG TO PREPARE FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, CUP FINALS WITH LE HAVRE FRIENDLY

Paris Saint-Germain announced yesterday they will play a friendly against second-tier Le Havre in front of up to 5,000 fans to prepare for the Champions League last eight tournament and two domestic cup finals.

PSG returned to training last month ahead of a French Cup final against Saint-Etienne on July 24, a League Cup decider with Lyon a week later and the European competition in Lisbon beginning on August 12. The Le Havre fixture on July 12 will be PSG’s first match since the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund in mid-March, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Ligue 2 side’s Stade Oceane will be able to hold 5,000 spectators with the French government set to ease restrictions on sporting and cultural events from July 11. The French title-holders are set to start the defence of their Ligue 1 crown on the weekend of August 22 and are expected to play two further preseason friendlies.

WIGAN FACE 12-POINT DEDUCTION AFTER GOING INTO ADMINISTRATION

Championship side Wigan will be handed a 12-point deduction after entering administration as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic starts to bite in English football. If the 2013 FA Cup winners are relegated, the sanction will be applied to the start of their League One campaign in 2020/21 but if their results are good enough to stay up, it will be applied to the final 2019/20 table instead.

Wigan are currently in 14th place in the second tier on 50 points after a fine recent run — a 12-point drop would take them bottom and four points adrift of safety. Wigan, who were in the Premier League as recently as 2013, have six games to play in the current season, which resumed on June 20.

The club dropped down into League One in 2015 but made an immediate return to the Championship.

MOURINHO EXPECTS DIER TO GET NEW SPURS DEAL

Jose Mourinho is confident England international Eric Dier is ready to sign a new contract with Tottenham. Dier’s future was thrown into doubt after he climbed into the stands to argue with a fan who had exchanged words with his brother during an FA Cup defeat against Norwich earlier this season.

The 26-year-old’s current deal expires at the end of next season, but Tottenham manager Mourinho says chairman Daniel Levy told him Dier is keen to reach an agreement.

Dier is reported to be content that Mourinho has moved him back into central defence after he was often used as a midfielder under former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino. Dier, who joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2014, still has the prospect of a lengthy ban hanging over his head following a Football Association charge for misconduct after the Norwich incident in March.