Transfer notebook: Arsenal to offer Saka pay rise, Michael Carrick tempted by Man United return, West Ham star instantly put up for sale

Arsenal are willing to pay Bukayo Saka more than £250,000-a-week to tie down the England ace.

Contract negotiations between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and Saka will ramp up after William Saliba signed his new five-year deal.

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The Gunners realise how sought-after Saka, whose current contract runs out in the summer of 2027, would be among top European clubs.

Saka’s new deal is expected to at least be on a par with the Gunners’ current top earner Kai Havertz, who pockets in the region of £280,000-a-week.

When quizzed on Saka’s future last week, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “From everything I know he’s a player that is extremely happy and proud to be here.

“Everyone knows how important Bukayo is for us so hopefully we can do it.”

Taking the Mich

Michael Carrick would be tempted by a return to Manchester United, talkSPORT understands.

Carrick had a brief stint in interim charge at Old Trafford after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked in 2021.

He was unbeaten from his three matches in the dugout – beating Villarreal in the Champions League and Arsenal in the Premier League.

The former Middlesbrough boss was part of the conversation when Ruben Amorim was appointed in November last year.

Although minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is determined to back Amorim for as long as possible, United have started to work on a contingency plan if results do not improve.

This is likely to comprise a list of potential short-term options as Amorim himself was reluctant to take over mid-season.

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And the new?

Another name admired by the Red Devils is Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

The Cherries are vulnerable to an approach for their impressive manager, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Sources have told talkSPORT Bournemouth discussions over extending his deal will ramp up over the coming months.

Iraola guided Bournemouth to their highest ever finish of ninth last season having finished a respectable 12th in his first year at the helm.

The Dorset side have made a stunning start to this campaign despite selling three of their first-choice back four.

If Amorim does not survive, United would prefer a successor with experience of English football.

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Space Jam

West Ham will listen to offers for James Ward-Prowse in January.

Ward-Prowse became the first victim of the Nuno Espirito Santo era when he was brutally axed from the squad for Monday’s 1-1 draw at Everton.

The 11-cap England international, who had a brief loan stint under the Portuguese at Nottingham Forest, had started every game this season under Espirito Santo’s predecessor Graham Potter.

It is thought Ward-Prowse, 31 in November, would be open to a return to his old club Southampton.

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