Premier League Wage Hierarchy Reshuffled Following Saka's Lucrative New Arsenal Contract
This week has witnessed a significant reshuffle in the Premier League's financial elite, with Arsenal's Bukayo Saka agreeing to a substantial new deal that positions him as the club's highest earner. Saka's fresh contract, reportedly exceeding £300,000 per week, surpasses teammate Kai Havertz's £280,000 weekly wage, yet it remains dwarfed by Manchester City's Erling Haaland, whose staggering £525,000-per-week agreement is widely regarded as the most lucrative in the league's history.
Daily Mail Sport presents an exclusive examination of the top flight's ten highest earners, with all figures independently sourced, though some approximations are included where exact numbers are not publicly confirmed.
The Premier League's Top Earners: A Detailed Breakdown
1. Erling Haaland (Manchester City): £525,000-per-week
The 24-year-old Norwegian sensation has dominated English football since his 2022 arrival from the Bundesliga, shattering the single-season goals record with 36 strikes and becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club in just 111 appearances. Haaland has already secured seven trophies in over three seasons, playing a pivotal role in City's historic treble-winning debut campaign, including netting 12 times to help claim their first Champions League title.
Last year, City rewarded their talisman with a groundbreaking nine-and-a-half-year deal, surpassing Cole Palmer's nine-year Chelsea contract to become the longest in Premier League history. This agreement, which will see Haaland turn 34 upon its conclusion, has effectively quashed immediate links to Real Madrid.
2. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): £400,000-per-week
The Egyptian forward has justified Liverpool's investment over nearly eight years, winning eight major trophies. After speculation about his future dominated last season, the 33-year-old winger committed to Arne Slot's side in April by signing a two-year extension until 2027.
Despite a turbulent period where Salah claimed he was "thrown under the bus" and his relationship with Slot appeared strained, his return from the AFCON tournament in Morocco dispelled theories of an imminent exit. Recently, he has shown signs of returning to form, earning praise from his manager after scoring a penalty in a 3-0 victory over Brighton.
3. Casemiro (Manchester United): £350,000-per-week
The former Real Madrid star, a five-time Champions League winner, joined Manchester United in 2022 on a deal criticised for its high cost given his 30-year age at the time. Ineos, which acquired a minority stake in United in February 2024 and assumed football operations, aims to phase out such costly contracts for ageing stars, with Casemiro's removal from the wage bill a priority.
The 33-year-old Brazilian announced in January that this season would be his last, enjoying a swansong as a key figure in United's midfield under managers Ruben Amorim, Darren Fletcher, and Michael Carrick, despite being written off in his second season.
4. Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): £350,000-per-week
The Liverpool captain, 34, has enjoyed immense success on Merseyside, winning a Premier League title, a Champions League, an FA Cup, two League Cups, a UEFA Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup, alongside numerous individual accolades. Signed for a then-world-record defender fee of £75 million in January 2018, Van Dijk extended his contract last April with a two-year deal on similar terms, mirroring teammate Salah's commitment.
5. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): £300,000-per-week
The English winger this week agreed to a massive five-year extension, making him Arsenal's highest earner. The 24-year-old, an academy graduate, was under contract until 2027 but has now committed until 2031 in a deal worth approximately £80 million. Saka has been instrumental in Arsenal's recent title challenges, scoring 40 league goals since 2022 and 54 in all competitions, with his new terms expected to boost confidence ahead of crucial club and international fixtures.
6. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): £300,000-per-week
The Manchester United captain, 31, has been the team's most vital player since his 2020 signing from Sporting Lisbon, contributing 104 goals and 99 assists in 315 appearances. Appointed captain under Erik ten Hag in July 2023 after Harry Maguire was stripped of the armband, Fernandes's future has been uncertain following the departure of compatriot Ruben Amorim, with whom he shared a close bond. His current deal expires in 2027, and Casemiro's impending exit will elevate him to the club's top earner.
7. Omar Marmoush (Manchester City): £295,000-per-week
The Egyptian forward joined City in January last year on a four-and-a-half-year deal from Eintracht Frankfurt, after finishing as the Bundesliga's second-top scorer behind Harry Kane. Pep Guardiola views the 26-year-old "more as a striker than a proper winger," leading to frequent bench appearances due to competition with Haaland. Marmoush scored his first Premier League goal last month during Haaland's drought, with Guardiola praising his "special player" qualities and potential for improvement.
8. Alexander Isak (Liverpool): £280,000-per-week
The Swedish striker's high-profile move from Newcastle to Liverpool was finalised on deadline day for a British record £125 million, following a month-long strike at his former club. The 26-year-old has struggled this campaign due to a lack of pre-season fitness, suffering a broken leg after scoring in Liverpool's 2-1 win at Tottenham before Christmas. He has not played since and is not expected to return this season.
9. Kai Havertz (Arsenal): £280,000-per-week
The German midfielder's £65 million move from Chelsea in summer 2023 raised eyebrows, but he has silenced critics with 31 goals and 15 assists in 94 appearances. However, fitness issues have plagued him; he spent the first half of the season recovering from a serious knee problem and recently injured his hamstring, sidelining him once more.
10. Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal): £265,000-per-week
The 28-year-old Brazilian joined Arsenal in 2022 after a successful spell at Manchester City, where he won four Premier League titles, three League Cups, and an FA Cup. Since his arrival, Jesus has been hampered by persistent knee injuries, including an 11-month absence due to an ACL injury. He returned to action in December and has scored five times since, remaining a valuable asset when fit, which could influence Arsenal's narrative in the coming weeks.
