Bukayo Saka has indicated his long-term future lies with Arsenal, telling reporters \"I want to win wearing this badge\" ahead of the club\'s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Real Madrid. The England winger, who has two years remaining on his current contract worth up to £300,000-a-week, appears in no rush to finalize new terms.
\"I don\'t think anyone is really in a rush. I have got two years left on my contract so it is pretty relaxed,\" Saka said. \"Everyone knows my thoughts and I\'ve let you guys know as well so I don\'t think there\'s any rush really.\"
Arsenal are reportedly preparing to open extension talks with the 23-year-old, who returned from a four-month absence following hamstring surgery last week.
Saka also revealed his ambition to one day win the Ballon d\'Or, calling it \"a dream\" after finishing 21st in last year\'s voting. \"I\'m just working hard to do my best for my team, and any individual awards that come of it, I\'ll accept it,\" he said when asked about the prestigious individual honor.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called on his team to \"build our own story\" as they face only their second Champions League quarterfinal in 15 years. \"There is a massive gap there for so many years when nothing has happened in this football club in relation to European competitions. We need to change that and we need to change that quickly,\" Arteta said, referencing their elimination at the same stage by Bayern Munich last season.
Saka, whose only trophy with Arsenal remains the 2020 FA Cup, is set to start against Madrid and face off against Ballon d\'Or contenders including Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham.
Via James Olley/ESPN