Arsenal 'offer a new deal' to William Saliba
Arsenal ‘offer a new deal’ to William Saliba, with the Gunners keen to tie down the defender’s future after his fine start to the season which has seen Mikel Arteta’s side keep eight clean sheets in just 17 games and rise to the top of the Premier League
- French defender William Saliba has enjoyed a fine start to the season for Arsenal
- The 21-year-old’s deal at the club expires in 2023 with the option of an extra year
- Arsenal have offered Saliba a new contract to tie down his future at the Emirates
Arsenal have offered a new contract to French defender William Saliba after his fine start to the season, according to reports.
The Gunners signed Saliba for £27m back in 2019 after the 21-year-old excelled as a youngster with Saint-Etienne.
However, he spent three successive seasons out on loan in France at Saint-Etienne, Nice and then Marseille last season, where he was voted Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
Arsenal have offered a new deal to defender William Saliba after his fine start to the season
The centre-back has developed a fine partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes (L) in defence
This meant that he had to wait three years for his Arsenal debut, raising questions about whether he had a future in north London, but Saliba has excelled since returning to the club, helping to guide Mikel Arteta’s side to the top of the Premier League table.
The 21-year-old has played 14 times and scored twice, while he has also broken into the France team, winning seven caps for his country.
Saliba has developed an impressive partnership at centre-back with Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes as the Gunners have kept eight clean sheets in 17 games across all competitions this season – and conceded only 14 goals in total.
Saliba had to bide his time before making his debut for the Gunners, spending three seasons out on loan at Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille (pictured) after his £27m move to Arsenal
Saliba has been a key man for Mikel Arteta’s side as they sit at the top of the Premier League
And The Athletic have reported that Arteta’s side have offered a new deal to the Frenchman, in an attempt to reward his fine performances and to wade off interest from several top clubs around Europe.
Saliba’s current deal runs until 2023, with the option of a further 12 months.
Arsenal have been keen to extend his deal even before he enjoyed such a strong start to the season.
Furthermore, the France international recently confirmed that ‘they talk a little bit’, in reference to initial discussions between the club and his representatives over a new contract.
Saliba helped Arsenal to keep their eighth clean sheet of the season in Sunday’s 5-0 win
The reports states that these preliminary talks have now developed into formal negotiations with the Gunners making an official offer of a new deal.
There has been no agreement between the parties, but the talks are expected to continue, with Arsenal keen to sort out the future of a player who seems crucial to the side Arteta is building.
Following Sunday’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Arsenal are top of the Premier League with just two league games to go until the World Cup break.
They face FC Zurich in the Europa League on Thursday before a crunch London derby with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Sunday lunchtime.
Saliba has become a key part of Mikel Arteta’s burgeoning young side at the Emirates
Share this article
Source: Read Full Article