Arsenal hope to end any doubt over the future of William Saliba after opening talks about a new contract for the centre-back.
Saliba’s existing terms run until the summer of 2027 and he is being targeted by Real Madrid.
While the France international also has other suitors, should he depart Arsenal it is likely to be for the 15-time European champions.
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But Arsenal do not want to lose the defender and their sporting director Andrea Berta has held discussions with Saliba’s camp in an effort to extend his stay.
The club have yet to make an offer but that will come in due course as they progress discussions and pursue an agreement.
Saliba is known to be happy at Arsenal but will inevitably seek a deal reflecting his status as one of the leading players in his position across world football at the age of just 24.
Saliba said in March that talks had not yet begun and there was “no rush”, but that he was happy and wanted to win trophies at Arsenal. He added that he felt he had not played his “best football” this term but has still made 49 appearances in all competitions, and 33 in the Premier League, helping Arsenal to keep the strongest defensive record in the English top-flight this season.
Saliba, alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, signed a new contract in 2023 which saw his deal extended to the summer of 2027.
He has played regularly for Arsenal as his side have challenged for the title in the past three Premier League seasons.
Arsenal signed Saliba from Ligue 1 club Saint-Etienne in July 2019 when he was 18 years old and the defender remained with the French club before heading to north London for the 2020-21 season.
He was sent back to the French top flight on subsequent loan spells with Nice and Marseille, before breaking into Arsenal’s defence for the 2022-23 season.
Arteta’s side have qualified for the Champions League in every season since Saliba started to regularly feature, and came closest to winning the Premier League title when they finished two points behind Manchester City in 2023-24.
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
