ARSENAL: WILLIAM SALIBA RESPONDS TO REAL MADRID LINKS AFTER SIGNING NEW GUNNERS CONTRACT

The Frenchman has set his sights on silverware after extending his stay in north London

STICKING AROUND: WILLIAM SALIBA
ARSENAL FC VIA GETTY IMAGES

William Saliba says his head was never turned by Real Madrid because he could not leave Arsenal without winning major trophies.

Saliba has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal after snubbing interest from Real Madrid.

The defender could have followed in the footsteps of Trent Alexander-Arnold and joined the Spanish giants on a free transfer in under two years.

But Saliba has stressed his heart was always set on staying at Arsenal and lifting silverware with them.

“To be honest, I was not really focused on the clubs from the outside, I was just focused on here,” he said.

“I knew that I wanted to stay here for more years, so I was not really focused on the other clubs. So I’m happy to be here and I signed a new deal, so full focus on my club.

“As you said, he (Alexander-Arnold) won some titles with Liverpool. Me, I didn’t win anything here except the Community Shield.

“I’ve done nothing for this club to think about leaving. I want to stay here and win a lot of trophies. I love this club. I cannot leave this club without giving them (the fans) something back. My first choice was to stay here and win everything first.”

“We have a good team, we play well, we are good. We only miss trophies. The team and I will give everything to win this title.

“Of course, the people won’t remember you if you win nothing. So, at the end, it's trophies, trophies, trophies.”

Saliba has become a regular for Arsenal, but he endured a difficult spell when he first joined the club.

The Frenchman was loaned out on three different occasions and he has revealed his fear that he may never make it in north London.

“When I arrived in 2020 and I didn’t play for six months, then I went on loan, of course sometimes you have some doubts,” he said.

“You say: ‘Yeah, maybe I will never play for this club’. But at the end I told myself that I cannot leave this club without playing.

“I didn’t give up, I went on loan, I played games, I came back here and I started almost every game.

“So, yeah, I’m so proud of myself. That means that you must never give up. That’s what I did and I’m proud of myself.

“We say, if the club sends you on loan a lot, maybe they don’t need you. But at the end, it’s football. Sometimes you have good moments, sometimes you have bad moments like this.

“And you have to be strong in your head and always believe in yourself. And that’s what I did.

“Even in the bad moments, I kept believing in myself. And when I came back, I had some chances to play and I played well.”

- SIMON COLLINGS

MONUMENTAL SALIBA CONTRACT BREAKTHROUGH AS ARSENAL AGREE ON 'BIGGEST DEAL IN THEIR HISTORY ' - MULTIPLE SOURCES

Arsenal defender William Saliba has committed to a new deal with the club

Arsenal have finalised a new deal with William Saliba, with confirmation on the agreement due to be made public in the coming days, according to David Ornstein, and with the extension all but ending speculation of a blockbuster move to Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old defender has emerged as one of the finest defenders in world football during his time at Emirates Stadium, where he is now considered one of the first names on Mikel Arteta’s team sheet. Having had to wait patiently for his chance in north London, undergoing a series of loan spells away, Saliba has now racked up some 139 appearances for Arsenal.

Such has been his qualities, that it is little surprise that Real Madrid have been strongly and persistently linked with a swoop on the Gunners to sign the 28-times capped France international.

However, Saliba’s commitment to the Arsenal cause has never been in question and, despite the Spanish media’s best efforts at trying to unsettle the defensive lynchpin, his focus has always been on extending his deal with the Gunners, with his existing arrangement due to expire in June 2027.

Indeed, as our transfer insider Dean Jones revealed on Monday, those talks between Saliba’s agents and sporting director Andrea Berta have ramped up in recent days.

According to Jones, Saliba’s new deal is expected to be the most lucrative in the club’s history.

“Arsenal remain determined to tie William Saliba down to a new long-term contract, and from what I have been hearing, they have been ready to push the limits of their wage structure to make it happen,” Jones explained.

“His current deal runs until 2027, but with Real Madrid keeping a close eye, they want this resolved quickly….”

Currently earning £190,000 a week, Saliba looks in line for a minimum 50% pay increase at Emirates Stadium.

“I’m told they’re prepared to offer a salary in the region of £300,000 a week, which would make him the club’s highest earner. Some suggestions have put the figure at £250,000, but sources closer to the talks believe it will end up higher because of just how vital he is to Arteta’s project.

“Arsenal see him as one of the best defenders in the world, a cornerstone of their future, and the message is clear that Saliba isn’t for sale.”

Ornstein, Jacobs confirms new Arsenal deal for Saliba

Confirming the agreement for Saliba was done, Ornstein wrote for The Athletic: ‘Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has agreed a new contract with the club.

‘The 24-year-old’s new deal is expected to be signed in the coming days.

‘The Athletic reported in May that Arsenal had opened contract talks with Saliba in the hope of retaining him beyond June 2027, when his existing terms expire.

Saliba had been the subject of interest from Real Madrid, but said in March he was happy at Arsenal and wanted to win trophies with the north London club.

‘Saliba has played a key role in helping Arsenal maintain the strongest defensive record in the Premier League over the previous two seasons. He played 51 times for Arsenal last term, as Mikel Arteta’s side finished second in the Premier League for the third consecutive campaign and reached the Champions League semi-final.’

Ornstein’s reveal was soon confirmed by another journalist, Ben Jacobs, who posted on X: ‘William Saliba has agreed a new five-year Arsenal contract, which is expected to be formalised soon.

‘Arsenal always confident of extending Saliba despite interest from Real Madrid. Player made it clear he wanted to stay. Arsenal also working on extending Bukayo Saka, who is also expected to extend.’

With that arrangement set to be made public in the next few days, Arsenal can expect to now enjoy many more years of seeing the stylish Frenchman marshalling their defence, with the ‘long-term arrangement’ expected to secure his future at the club until 2030 and the age of 29.

Asked whether he will sign a new contract in July, the Frenchman said: “Yes, hopefully – of course there is nothing now but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. Let’s see.”

Latest Arsenal news: €60m LaLiga star linked; next Del Piero also eyed

Meanwhile, the Gunners are also being heavily linked with a Juventus star, according to the Italian media, as his national team manager and Fabio Capello compare the player to Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth will prepare for another battle to keep hold of a star man in 2026, TEAMtalk understands, with Arsenal named by sources as one of a few Premier League giants expected to reignite interest in the player.

And finally, Arteta is also being linked with a raid for a LaLiga-based star, whose career trajectory is similar to that of Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard.

The player in question is rated in the €60m bracket, and it’s suggested that Andrea Berta has been making regular checks ahead of a possible 2026 swoop.

Saliba to rocket to top of Arsenal best-paid players list

- James Marshment

LEAH WILLIAMSON SIGNS LIFETIME CONTRACT WITH ARSENAL

Big Deal: Leah Williamson made headlines by signing a groundbreaking lifetime contract with Arsenal, a move that underscores her dedication to the club and her vision for the future of Arsenal women’s football… read more below ⬇️ 

https://vickylivesports.com/index.php/2025/06/29/big-deal-leah-williamson-made-headlines-by-signing-a-groundbreaking-lifetime-contract-with-arsenal-a-move-that-underscores-her-dedication-to-the-club-and-her-vision-for-the-future-of-arsenal-women/

JALLEN WILLIAMS AFTER SIGNING A FIVE-YEAR $287 MILLION EXTENSION DEAL 😁

 

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER SIGNS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRACT IN HISTORY

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has signed the fifth-biggest contract in sports history after an NBA Championship-winning season.

The Oklahoma City Thunder star inked a $285m super-max extension that keeps him in with the team through 2030-31.

He will now be paid an average annual salary of $71.25m per year, which has been bettered by only three other sportsmen - Canelo Alvarez, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. 💰

PROJECTED ROOKIE SCALE 4-YEAR CONTRACT BREAKDOWNS FOR ALL 30 #NBA 1AT ROUND PICKS

Projected Rookie Scale 4-Year Contract Breakdowns for all 30 #NBA 1st round picks.

MO SALAH AIMS SUBTITLE DIG AT YRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD AFTER SIGNING NEW LIVERPOOL CONTRACT

Mohamed Salah emphasised his desire to win trophies with Liverpool, not individual honours, after signing a new deal – in a clear contrast to Trent Alexander-Arnold's recent comments

Mohamed Salah is not concerned about individual awards(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Mohamed Salah says he decided to stay at Liverpool because he wants to win trophies with his team-mates – in a clear contrast to Trent Alexander-Arnold. It was announced on Friday morning that Salah has signed a new contract with the Reds and will continue to spearhead Arne Slot ’s side next season.

He is the first of Liverpool’s three out-of-contract stars to announce his decision, with the futures of Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk still unclear. Like Salah, Van Dijk is expected to put pen to paper on a new two-year contract, but Alexander-Arnold is poised to leave on a free transfer to Real Madrid when his deal expires at the end of June.

Salah is in the midst of his best-ever season with Liverpool, having recorded 32 goals and 22 assists in 45 games so far. With the Premier League title heading to Merseyside, the Egyptian has made it clear that he thinks the future is bright under Slot.

“I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football,” he said. Salah has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Club World Cup and two Carabao Cups since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2017 and in an interview with the club media he made it clear what his goals for the future are.

Asked about sitting third on the club’s all-time goalscorer list, Salah replied: “It’s great but I’m more proud when we win team trophies because this is the most important thing. When you win something with the team and are scoring goals and you are involved, that’s what people remember. Just individual awards without winning anything doesn’t feel great.”

He had a similar response when asked about chasing the Premier League’s golden boot this season. “ I’m just a good winger and I try to do my job,” he said modestly. “As long as we’re winning games and are close to winning trophies, that’s the most important thing.”

When it was pointed out that he is four goals off going fourth in the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer’s list, Salah said: “Of course. To be fair, it’s great. But, again, when you are scoring goals and you feel like you are involved in most of the games and the team is close to winning big trophies, that’s an unbelievable feeling.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)

Some Liverpool fans may draw a parallel between Salah’s words and those of Alexander-Arnold’s back in October when speaking to Sky Sports. The 26-year-old was asked to choose between winning another Champions League title, winning a trophy with England, becoming Liverpool captain or winning the Ballon d’Or and he went for the individual award over team honours.

“Winning a World Cup with England – that would be immense and change the game, but I’d say win a Ballon d’Or, because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it,” he said before adding: “I believe it. Some people may call me deluded, but I believe I can.”

And asked how he’d like to be thought of in 20 years’ time, Alexander-Arnold said: “A legend of football. Someone who changed the game – that’s the main thing that I have: ‘don’t play the game, change the game’.

"So that’s the legacy I want to have: being the greatest right-back to ever play football, if I’m honest. I know that there’s been so many out there, but I’ve got to reach for the stars and that’s where I believe my ceiling can go.”

- Felix Keith

FORMULA 1 DRIVER'S CONTRACT EXPIRY DATES IN 2025 AND THEIR SALARIES

 

NEYMAR AK-HILAL CONTRACT TERMINATED

 

ERLING HAALAND'S NET WORTH AND WHAT HE'LL HAVE EARNED ONCE RECORD MAN CITY CONTRACT ENDS

Erling Haaland's life of luxury just got a whole lot more comfortable (Image: Getty Images)

Erling Haaland has put pen to paper on a nine-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, which is set to cost Manchester City an eye-watering total sum by 2034

Erling Haaland will have earned at the very least £260million by the time his new nine-and-a-half-year contract ends.

The 24-year-old Norwegian striker has dominated English football since his arrival in a £51.2m deal in 2022, making his way to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Haaland has scored 111 goals in 126 appearances for Manchester City, lifting two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League - with hopes of filling his trophy cabinet more in the coming years.

And while there has been speculation of interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid as of late, Haaland has confirmed that his heart is set in the north west of England, penning a new near decade-long deal which will keep him as a Cityzen until the end of the 2033/34 campaign.

And while there has been speculation of interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid as of late, Haaland has confirmed that his heart is set in the north west of England, penning a new near decade-long deal which will keep him as a Cityzen until the end of the 2033/34 campaign.

Meanwhile, the contract also reportedly saw any existing release clauses removed, although a new one will come into effect from 2029. It is expected that Haaland will see a massive increase on his current £375,000-per-week salary, rising to in the region of £500,000 weekly - and that's before bonuses.

This will see Haaland approximately rack up an astonishing £260m pre-tax by the time that his contract expires in 2034, given that his pay is also reported to be backdated to the start of the current Premier League campaign. In terms of his wage being broken down, £500k-a-week translates to £71,428-a-day or £2,976 per hour.

Add the substantial sum over the next 10 years to the reported £32m ($40) net worth Haaland boasts at present and he should have a bank balance well into the nine figures. And that's also excluding endorsements and performance bonuses which come incredibly frequently to stars of his calibre.

According to Forbes, Haaland has worked with the likes of Nike, EA, Breitling, Dolce and Gabbana and Midea over the years - each boosting his bank balance further with lucrative sponsorships. Speaking on his new contract, he said: "I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great Club.

"Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody. I also want to thank Pep, his coaching staff, my teammates and everyone at the club as they have all helped me so much in the past couple of years.

"They have made this such a special place to be and now I am City no matter what. Now I want to keep developing, keep working to get better and look to do my best to try and help us achieve more success going forward."

- Aaron Morris

MOHAMED SALAH ON LIVERPOOL CONTRACT FUTURE: 'MORE OUT THAN IN'

Mohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a formal contract offer from Liverpool, adding that he is "more out than in" regarding whether he will stay at the club next season.

Salah, whose contract is set to expire next summer, has enjoyed an impressive individual campaign, having scored 12 goals in all competitions this term, including a brace in Liverpool's 3-2 comeback win over Southampton on Sunday.

However, speaking after the win at St Mary's, Salah admitted he was "disappointed" that the club has not yet formally tabled a new contract.

"Well, we are almost in December and I haven't received any offers yet to stay in the club, [so] I'm probably more out than in," Salah told reporters.

"You know now I have been in the club for many years. There is no club like this. But in the end it is not in my hands. As I said before, it is December and I haven't received anything yet about my future.

"I love the fans. The fans love me. In the end it is not in my hands or the fans' hands. Let's wait and see. Of course [no offer is disappointing], yeah.

Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool in 2017. James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

"I'm not going to retire soon so I'm just playing, focusing on the season and I'm trying to win the Premier League and hopefully the Champions League as well. I'm disappointed but we will see."

A source told ESPN that talks between Salah's representatives and Liverpool have been ongoing and positive, although his contract discussions were always expected to be complex and take time.

Salah signed his last Liverpool contract, which made him the club's highest earner, in June 2022. As things stand, he will be free to speak to clubs outside of England about a free transfer next summer when the winter window opens on Jan. 1.

The 32-year-old has previously been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League however he was quick to shut down such talk on Sunday afternoon.

Salah is one of three Liverpool players whose current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, with club captain Virgil van Dijk and vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold also out of contract next summer.

Information from Mark Ogden contributed to this report.

- Beth Lindop, Correspondent

F1 GRAND PRIX | CIRCUIT CONTRACT LENGTHS

 

LIVERPOOL CAPTAIN VIRGIL VAN DIJK UNCERTAIN WITH FUTURE

The Liverpool captain is one of three Reds stars with an expiring contract as doubts swirl over the futures of Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold

Virgil van Dijk admits he has no idea what his future holds as his contract talks with Liverpool continue.

The Liverpool captain’s current deal – like those of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold – expires at the end of the season and he has been discussing an extension with the club.

But Liverpool risk losing a £75m signing on a free transfer with Van Dijk able to arrange a summer move to foreign clubs from January and the centre-back unsure whether he will remain at Anfield.

He said: “I can say obviously discussions are ongoing, but I don’t know, we will see what happens in the future. My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else. What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see.”

Van Dijk turns 34 in July but has been in fine form, prompting thoughts he could play on at a high level for several years.

Speaking after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Chelsea, he added: “I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun. What the future brings I have no idea at the moment, but discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys will know it as well. But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see.”

- Richard Jolly, Senior Football Correspondent

SON HEUNG-MIN: NO TOTTENHAM CONTRACT TALKS DESPITE 2025 EXPIRY

Son Heung-min was speaking at a news conference on Wednesday. Zac Goodwin/PA Images via Getty Images

Son Heung-Min has said talks are yet to take place with Tottenham over a new contract and insisted he is only focused on winning his first trophy with the club.

The 32-year-old's deal expires at the end of the season, although a source has confirmed to ESPN that Spurs have an option to extend his existing agreement by an extra year to 2026.

Son stepped up to captain the side under Ange Postecoglou as Hugo Lloris fell out of favour and Harry Kane left to join Bayern Munich, but the South Korea international suggested there had been no progress over a fresh deal when speaking on Wednesday at a press conference ahead of Tottenham's UEFA Europa League opener against FK Qarabag.

"We haven't talked about anything yet," Son, who joined Spurs from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, said.

"It is very clear from me. I am very focused on this season. At this age, every second is like a goal, especially this season, we are in a lot of competitions, it feels like I am taking even more care about this.

"As I say, I am fully focused on this year and just want to win something that everybody at the club - the players, all around - deserves. That's what I'm working for. In the future you never know what will happen, but I will give everything for this club because it's been almost 10 years and I give everything. I still have a contract with the club which is the very important thing and I just want to give everything until my contract [expires]."

Son, who is yet to win any silverware with the club given Spurs' last trophy came in 2008, also weighed in on the debate around player welfare with the expanded Europa League format just one of several altered competitions placing greater demands on footballers.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson are among those to speak out against the volume of games elite players are now being asked to play, and Son said: "A lot of players came out and said the right things and I think it was very important. There are definitely a lot of games. As a football fan, you want to see quality of games, not as many games as possible. You don't want to see players struggling with injuries.

"There are a lot of games, a lot of travelling. We have to look after ourselves, which is sometimes very hard. Sometimes, mentally and physically you are not ready and then you go onto the pitch, the risk of injury is massive.

"We are not robots so I think we have to look after that, reduce the [number of] games definitely and playing a better quality of games should be the aim."

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

VIRJIL VAN DIJK YET TO RECEIVE LIVERPOOL CONTRACT OFFER

PA Wire

 

Virgil van Dijk has said Liverpool are yet to offer him a new contract, despite his existing deal expiring at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Van Dijk, the club captain, is one of three key players who is in the final year of his contract along with Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

"There is no change at the minute," Van Dijk said after Liverpool's 4-1 preseason win against Sevilla at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool are yet to make any signings during the summer transfer window, since the arrival of Arne Slot to replace Jürgen Klopp, but Van Dijk is hopeful reinforcements will arrive.

"Obviously I think we should make some signings based on how long the season will go but I think they are working behind the scenes and I am fully convinced and trust the club that they will do the right thing for us and get the best possible squad in order to compete in every competition that we are in," he said.

"That is the main thing I am focusing on, having the trust and we will see what happens. I think they are working very hard behind the scenes, we will see how that pans out."

- ESPN

BEARS, WIDE RECEIVER DJ MOORE REACH 4-YEAR, $110M EXTENSION

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears and wide receiver DJ Moore reached agreement on a four-year, $110 million contract extension, the largest in franchise history, his agents told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

The deal -- negotiated by Drew Rosenhaus, Jason Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey -- includes $82.6 million guaranteed, which ranks third for a wide receiver on a single contract in NFL history (Justin Jefferson $110 million guaranteed, A.J. Brown $84 million). All three players agreed to their deals this offseason.

Moore, 27, had two years remaining on the extension he signed at the end of his rookie contract with the Carolina Panthers and was set to hit free agency in 2026. He is now under contract with the Bears through the 2029 season and headlines a wide receiver room with 12-year veteran Keenan Allen and the draft's ninth overall pick, Rome Odunze.

A former first-round pick, Moore was the focal point of a 2023 trade that sent the No. 1 overall selection from Chicago to Carolina in exchange for Moore and four draft picks. At the time of the trade, Chicago general manager Ryan Poles said he was "over the moon" about receiving Moore in the haul from the Panthers and was worried the receiver wouldn't be available had the Bears waited past the date they executed the trade March 10, 2023.

In his first season with the Bears, Moore put together a career year, leading the team in receptions (96), receiving yards (1,364), receiving yards per game (80.2) and touchdowns (8). He accounted for 39.9% of Chicago's receiving yards, the highest percentage for any player for a team in 2023.

In one season, Moore changed the trajectory of the Bears offense. His 1,364 receiving yards were the fourth most by a Bears player in franchise history, trailing only Brandon Marshall (2012), Alshon Jeffery (2013) and Marcus Robinson (1999).

Since entering the league in 2018, Moore has caught a pass from 12 different quarterbacks -- yet still ranks seventh in the NFL in receiving yards over that span despite playing with a rotating cast of QBs.

"Our best player has got to be our hardest workers and they've got to be our best finishers and they've got to be available to practice out there, and DJ certainly is that," Chicago coach Matt Eberflus said in June. "He's as tough as they come and he is a great teammate and he is our hardest worker and one of our most talented guys."

The Bears rewarded Moore with an extension earlier than they have for players under Poles' direction. Last summer, Chicago extended tight end Cole Kmet going into the final year of his rookie deal. The team let cornerback Jaylon Johnson play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2023 before signing him to a four-year extension this offseason, after using the franchise tag as a placeholder for negotiations.

In March, Poles said he wanted to be "intentional with the order that we do negotiations," which eventually meant that Moore would leapfrog other Bears players who are headed for contract years in 2024.

Allen, who was traded to the Bears from the Los Angeles Chargers, has one year remaining on his deal. Left guard Teven Jenkins is entering the final year of his rookie contract and said the Bears told him and his agent that he would have to wait until after Chicago's Week 7 bye to enter negotiations.

By extending Moore, Poles now has the team's offensive core locked down for quite a while; Chicago has its first overall quarterback (Caleb Williams), two first-round wide receivers (Odunze, Moore), a top-10 pick offensive tackle (Darnell Wright) and starting tight end (Kmet) all under contract for at least the next four years (including fifth-year options on first-round contracts).

Moore is the latest to cash in during a summer of mega contract extensions for wide receivers. His deal makes him the second-highest-paid wide receiver behind Minnesota's Jefferson, who signed the richest contract in NFL history at the position (four years, $140 million) in June.

ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.

- Courtney Cronin, ESPN Staff Writer

MONTY WILLIAMS MAKING $85M+ IN CONTRACT BUYOUTS 🤔

 

FERNANDO ALONSO ON HIS MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH ASTON MARTIN

 

Fernando Alonso says his new Aston Martin contract is no regular two-year extension - and hints it will keep him part of the Aston family well beyond the end of his #F1 driver career.

SHOHEI OHTANI AGREES TO RECORD $700 MILLION, 10 YEAR CONTRACT

AP Photo 

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani has set a financial record to go along with his singular on-field performance, getting $700 million to make a 30-mile move up Interstate 5 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

His agent, Nez Balelo, issued a midafternoon news release Saturday announcing the 10-year contract, ending months of speculation that began even before Ohtani became a free agent on Nov. 2. In recent days, media and fans had tracked private plane movements and alleged sightings like detectives in attempts to discern the intentions of the two-time AL MVP with the Angels.

“This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player," Balelo said. “He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success.”

Ohtani's total was 64% higher than baseball's previous record, a $426.5 million, 12-year deal for Angels outfielder Mike Trout that began in 2019.

His $70 million average salary is 62% above the previous high of $43,333,333, shared by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander with deals they struck with the New York Mets. Ohtani's average salary nearly doubles the roughly $42.3 million he earned with the Angels. It also exceeds the entire payrolls of Baltimore and Oakland this year.

MAX VERSTAPPEN ON LEWIS HAMILTON'S CONTRACT SITUATION