Arsenal are keen to tie down William Saliba for the long haul, with fresh talks over new contract already underway.
William Saliba offered new contract at Arsenal
Arsenal have offered a new five-year contract for William Saliba. The club is hoping to keep him at the Emirates until 2030. The defender is earning £190k-a-week, has been one of the major building blocks during Mikel Arteta’s defensive rebuild.
His partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes has helped Arsenal create one of if not the toughest defenses in the league. That said, week-by-week Saliba is becoming one of the most wanted defenders in Europe.
The Gunners realize how vital it will be to keep a player such as Saliba. That is especially with him already being linked to Real Madrid. Talks are active and although nothing is signed. But, the North London side feels confident that the centre-back wants to continue at the Emirates.
The Frenchman has nearly two years left on his contract. But, the club is acting early to hopefully avoid the issues of a bidding war later on. With the transfer window now closed, Arsenal’s focus has shifted fully onto extensions and stability within the squad. If an agreement is reached soon, it will be one of the biggest wins of their season off the pitch.
Cover options in his absence
Right now, Saliba is sidelined through injury. That has already tested the Gunners. The arrivals of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie were smart pieces of business. These moves give Arteta options to rotate and cope without his star man.
Still, no matter the depth, Arsenal are not the same side without the Frenchman. So, tying him down to a long-term deal remains a top priority, even with a backup in place.
Author’s Opinion:
If Arsenal manage to lock down Saliba until 2030, it’ll be a great move. He’s the type of player you build a team around, and losing him would undo years of progress under Arteta.
