08/02/2026

SPORTS 13 theSun on Sunday FEB 8, 2026

Players’ future in the balance Gunners, Devils must agree three deals after transfer window closed

FROM LEFT: Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus alongside United’s Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo. – REUTERSPIC/AFPPIC

ARSENAL GUNNERS didn’t need to invest during the transfer window due to the club building arguably the strongest team in England and Europe – if their Champions League campaign is any thing to go by. But while they didn’t need to bring anyone in, the north London outfit need to begin contract negotiations with some of their biggest stars if they want to continue to be domi nant at the top of the game. GABRIEL JESUS: Once the man leading the attack for Arteta’s side, Jesus was expected to be the man to lead the Gunners back to glory - until he rup tured his ACL in his left knee. The Brazil striker has only made 70 appearances for the club since moving from Manchester City in 2022, where he played more than double that amount of games. That said, if Jesus can return to full fitness and stay in a healthy shape, he has plenty still to offer this Arsenal side. At 28, he is entering his prime years as a striker, he is at the age where goalscor ers add wise positional play to their peak ability. With Viktor Gyokeres now the main number nine for Arteta’s side, Jesus has to earn his way back into the team. However, with Arsenal hoping to go far in each competition this season, there will be ample opportunity for him to find the form he showed before his devastating injury. Arsenal need Jesus as much as he needs them, a fit and fighting Jesus can power Arsenal to the Premier League and Champions League. With his contract up in June 2027, the biggest sides in football will be sniffing

MANCHESTER UNITED For the Red Devils, the biggest outgo ing of the month was the sacking of Ruben Amorim – who was initially replaced by Darren Fletcher and now Michael Carrick – while a number of fringe players were shipped out on loan. The club made no signings during the transfer window but they are set for a busy end of the season with a number of key players entering the last years of their contract. LISANDRO MARTINEZ: ‘The Butcher’ – as he is commonly known as – has divided opinion at times during his spell at the club but after a criticised start to his time in Manchester, the Argentine has become a valuable defender for United. His contract runs out in June 2027 meaning clubs will be able to enter negotiations to sign the defender as a free agent halfway through next season. United will not want to let him leave on a free, especially as Martinez’s ball-play ing ability is an incredibly useful tool for the side. Having only just turned 28 last month, he put in one of best displays during the win against Manchester City last month, showing that he still has plenty to give in a Red Devils shirt. With Harry Maguire’s future also uncertain, United will not want to upheave their rear guard. KOBBIE MAINOO: The outcast under Amorim, Mainoo went from starting the 2024 Euro final for England to being ostracised from the first team this sea son. One of the hottest English prospects was rumoured with a move away from

his boyhood club amid being frozen out from the team. However, recent reports have sug gested that United are set to begin con tract negotiations with Mainoo over extending his deal that only has 18 months left on it. With an ageing Casemiro on his way out from the club, United must realise they need to tie Mainoo, 20, down to a new deal, and if so, he could sort the holding midfield position for years to come. BRUNO FERNANDES: Appointed club captain in 2023, Fernandes has been the lifeblood of United ever since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signed him from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. Since then no other player has played more games and had more goal involve ments than the Portuguese midfielder for United. Despite being linked with a move away from the club on a number of occasions in the past year – including turning down a mega move to Al-Hilal last summer – the 31-year-old United captain has stated he doesn’t want to leave the club. Fernandes has epitomised what United stand for since arriving at the club and has led the side to winning the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup in recent years. In what has been a hard period for United, Fernandes has been a shin ing light through all of it and keeping a player of his character is crucial as the club look to rebuild under new manage ment. His current contract is set to run until 2027. A new deal must be offered. Express Newspapers

around for a bargain if Arsenal don’t renew Jesus’ contract. GABRIEL MARTINELLI: The Brazilian is often an unsung hero of sorts at the Emirates Stadium having 179 appear ances to his name for the club alongside a healthy total of 41 goals. Martinelli joined the Gunners in 2019 and has been with the club throughout their renais sance, playing a pivotal part in their re emergence as a top side. At 24, the winger is still far from reaching his ceiling while already being a valuable player for Arteta’s style of football. With his contract up in June 2027, the ownership would be wise to lock down his future in north London especially due to his compliance with having a rotational spot in the squad. LEANDRO TROSSARD: At just £27 mil lion, signing the Belgian from Brighton was a no-brainer and has reaped its rewards since. In three years, Trossard has made 112 appearances and scored 26 goals for the Gunners – a valuable return and asset to have in the side. It is players like Trossard that make Arsenal’s squad depth so strong. He can rotate with Martinelli, Noni Madueke and even Bukayo Saka and you won’t notice much of a difference in how Arteta’s side plays. However, at 31 years old, Arsenal will be weary about renewing his contract which expires in 18 months. But, in an era where PSR can strangle your trans fer hopes, it is important a club makes a profit when selling a player. If Arsenal extend Trossard’s deal, there is less chance of him leaving cheaply, or even worse, for free.