Fabrizio Romano has said that Arsenal defender William Saliba has agreed to sign a new contract.
The Gunners are looking ahead to their next game against Newcastle United after they beat Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
However, their preparation will have been distracted slightly as the news has broken which says that William Saliba has finally agreed a new long-term contract, with his current deal due to expire in June 2027.
There had been transfer interest in Saliba from Real Madrid, who were hoping that Arsenal wouldn’t be able to agree a new long term deal with the Frenchman, and they were hoping for a similar situation to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool last season. He has been valued at around £70m.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have made a verbal agreement to sign Saliba on a new long-term contract. He posted on his Instagram: “William Saliba agrees to sign new long term contract at Arsenal.
“Verbal agreement in place with French defender after improved contract proposal sent by Arsenal in August. Arsenal wanted to be fast with Real Madrid attentive, Saliba very happy to stay.”
There is no confirmation of Saliba’s length of contract, but it seems that the Gunners have beaten Real Madrid to securing the French international’s long-term future, which is great news for Mikel Arteta.
Saka contract is the next priority at Arsenal
Now that Arsenal have agreed Saliba’s long-term future, the Gunners will now turn their attention to Bukayo Saka. His current deal, like Saliba, is expected to expire in June 2027, so Arsenal will be desperate to land him on a long-term contract.
Reports have said that Arsenal are in talks with Saka over a new deal, and they are optimistic that the English winger will agree to stay at the Emirates for the next period in his career.
There has been no reported transfer interest from elsewhere in Saka, which is a surprise considering how good he is, so it seems that a lack of competition for Saka’s signature indicates that it shouldn’t be a long time until he agrees a new contract.
Click here to see Arsenal’s first team squad after they agreed a new deal to sign Saliba.
