BEFORE THE GAME: Arsenal resist requests to insert a release clause in Bukayo Saka’s deal

Arsenal resisted calls to insert a release clause into Bukayo Saka’s new contract, agreeing instead to give the England striker a shorter contract than many expected, with the 21-year-old signing for four. more years this week.

The compromise suits both parties, with Arsenal protecting Saka’s transfer value and the player keeping his options open if he wishes to move in two years’ time, when the club will either charge or offer him another new contract.

Unlike some Premier League clubs, Arsenal are reluctant to follow the European model of giving players fixed release clauses, preferring to rely on the negotiating skills of their transfer team, led by sporting director Edu.

Saka’s contract has tripled his basic salary to around £200,000 a week, but he could earn up to £290,000 if performance targets are met.

The club was able to protect the value of Saka’s transfer with the compromise that suited both parties.

THE OWNER NOT IN THE GRAND END OF THE CITY

Sheik Mansour is not planning to attend Manchester City’s Champions League final against Inter Milan, even though his club is on the brink of a historic treble.

The City owner has spent billions on the club since he led a £265m takeover in 2008, and next month’s final in Istanbul is shaping up to be the biggest moment in its 143-year history.

However, he seems to have little interest in attending. In fact, Mansour has only been to one City game since he bought the club, a game against Liverpool in 2009-10, but he has seen training when the team visited Abu Dhabi.

WOODS TO GET THE TNT EURO PAPER

Laura Woods will present Champions League coverage on TNT Sport next season, and Lynsey Hipgrave will continue to front Premier League games on the channel that replaces BT Sport.

Mail Sport revealed last week that Woods was in talks with the owners of Warner Bros. Discovery to join the rebranded channel. BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey confirmed his departure after 10 years the following day.

As discussions continue, Woods has been offered the chance to replace Humphrey, with Hipgrave keeping the Premier League presenting duties he began at the start of this season.

A Warner Bros. spokesman declined to comment.

Laura Woods will present coverage of the Champions League on TNT Sport next season

EVERTON BIDDERS BEWARE OF OTHERS

Everton’s potential buyers, 777 Partners, could make a bid to buy another English club after Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri decided to enter exclusive negotiations with a rival bidder, MSP Sports Capital, this week.

777 were seeking a majority stake in Everton, while Moshiri only wants to sell a small stake, with MSP in talks to buy 25 per cent of the club.

777 owns a stake in a wide range of clubs, including Sevilla, Hertha Berlin, Standard Liege, Vasco da Gama and Melbourne Victory, and is eager to add an English team to its portfolio.

The Miami-based investment fund has already made successful moves in this country, owning 45 percent of the London Lions basketball club, which won the British Basketball League play-offs for the first time this month.

THE ABSENCE OF TYLER’S RARE TROPHY

Sky Sports chief commentator Martin Tyler missed coverage of a Premier League trophy for the first time in 20 years due to 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 pull out and Rob Hawthorne replaced him.

Tyler pushed through a sore throat when commenting on Brighton’s 3-0 win against Arsenal the previous weekend, but his symptoms worsened during the week and he opted to stay 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.

The Sky Sports commentator missed out on a Premier League trophy for the first time in 20 years