Arsenal have reached an agreement with William Saliba over a new four-year deal, thus ending speculation surrounding the French international.
David Ornstein of The Athletic confirmed the news about Arsenal reaching an agreement with William Saliba over a new contract. The €30 million French international will sign a four-year deal in the next few days, thus ending speculation surrounding his future.
After months of speculation, Arsenal has found a breakthrough in talks with William Saliba over a new contract. Mikel Arteta considered it imperative to keep the French international on the side for the longer term after a glowing first season under his belt.
After signing the €30 million French international back in 2019, the club could not find a way to integrate Saliba into their plans. Arteta received plenty of criticism for sending him on loan to Marseille last season, his third spell away since joining the club.
However, that decision paid dividends, as Saliba returned to Arsenal and immediately took his place in the first-team squad this season. He started all games until his late-season injury, which may have played a part in the Gunners losing out to Man City in the title race.
🚨 EXCL: Arsenal have reached agreement with William Saliba over new 4yr contract. 22yo had 12mnths on existing deal but fresh terms will tie him down until at least 2027, amid strong interest from PL + abroad. Now on to paperwork stage @TheAthleticFC #AFC https://t.co/BeUCKqH8zL
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 10, 2023
Discussions over a new deal had been ongoing since the turn of the year. Arsenal aimed to hand Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka new deals. They have concluded those objectives, as the French defender is set to stay at the club.
David Ornstein broke the news of Arsenal reaching an agreement with Saliba over a new deal. The Frenchman will sign a four-year contract at the Emirates to let him stay here until 2027. The Gunners had accelerated discussions in the last few days, with the centre-back likely to earn a bumper package.
The news will delight Arsenal supporters who may have been a bit worried about Saliba. The defender has not had a clear relationship with the club, but now it may appear he trusts Arteta’s plan. Saka’s extension may have brought joy to the fans, but with the Frenchman’s news, they will be more relieved than anything else.
Arsenal had also extended the deals for Gabriel Magalhaes earlier in the season while handing a new contract to Aaron Ramsdale. They are planning talks with Martin Odegaard and even Ben White, as Arteta remains intent on securing his core players for the longer term.
Saliba also had interest from elsewhere, with PSG, one of the clubs, constantly monitoring the defender’s situation. With his contract out of the way, Arsenal can focus on recruiting for the team in the summer window, with Declan Rice their primary target, among others.
