Arsenal are expected to open discussions with William Saliba over a new contract in the “next few weeks” according to Goal reporter Charles Watts.
The website’s Gunners correspondent claims that talks have not begun yet but a meeting with the defender’s representatives has been pencilled in.
Saliba is believed to be “keen” to find out where he fits into Mikel Arteta’s future plans before agreeing to a contract extension but fans on Twitter are hoping a deal can be hashed out:
We need to keep him at Arsenal. RM are sniffing about and he’s not going to be short of suitors. The money was invested in him early before his price would double/triple. We need top cover for white/gabriel. I believe Saliba has the quality to supplant one of them.
— Biased Goon (@arsenalfury10) March 21, 2022
Should be a no-brainer. Get rid of Holding. Slot in Saliba. There, problem solved!
— SAIBOLO TONIPRE (@Stonipre) March 21, 2022
Come home and fight for ur place in the squad
— 𝙂𝙖𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 (@AfcGabeast) March 21, 2022
Can see him competing with Gabriel for a starting spot. Will be hard to break that partnership up with how strong it is atm.
CL will be key for Saliba’s development to get the sufficient play time even without a cemented first team spot.
— Øliver Tudge (@olivertudge1) March 21, 2022
we need a 3rd world class CB to challenge Gabi & Ben..sign him up for 5 years pleaseee
— PokeGooners (@Salt19Pepe) March 21, 2022
Tying him down to a long-term contract should be a priority this summer. He's ready for PL now.
— ▪️ (@MavGunner) March 21, 2022
I will actually be upset if Arsenal let him go. Kid is a future superstar
— MataGooner (@MataGooner) March 21, 2022
He’s coming home! Where he belongs. He will become a world class CB and I’m proud that he’s an Arsenal player ❤️🤍 #afc
— AFC Swag (@AFCSwag) March 21, 2022
We gotta keep him
— Peter_Pete (@peter_pete12) March 21, 2022
The 20-year-old has performed well during his loan spell at Marseille but he would not be guaranteed a first-team place if he does return to the Emirates this summer.
Ben White and Gabriel have struck up a strong partnership and Saliba would need to show that he can perform to a similar level. Having another quality option at centre-back would certainly not be a bad thing in terms of squad depth, so hopefully, the Frenchman agrees to sign on the dotted line.
