Arsenal have tied up their first deal since the end of the season, sealing one of the most important contracts in Mikel Arteta's squad.
The Gunners have a long list of targets for the coming transfer window including Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo – but according to The Athletic's David Ornstein, centre-back William Saliba has agreed a new four-year deal.
The French international had just 12 years on his existing contract and will strong interest from Premier League sides and abroad, there was a chance that Arsenal would have lost the defender. Now, he is expected to become one of the biggest earners at the Emirates Stadium.
"The deal will keep the 22-year-old at the Emirates Stadium until at least 2027," the report states. "The new contract will now move on to the paperwork stage with both sides looking to get it signed."
Saliba joined in 2019 from Saint-Etienne under former manager Unai Emery but after a tough start to his Gunners career, his status at the club looked to be in jeopardy under Arteta. In 2021, the Spaniard signed Benjamin White, choosing to send Saliba again to Ligue 1 with Marseille, redistributing Saliba's squad number to his new signing instead.
But upon returning to London Colney, Saliba has been an integral part of the Arsenal side, displacing White at centre-back and forming a partnership with Gabriel that has seen the north Londoners put up an unlikely title challenge this season – a title challenge that, realistically, was derailed when the Frenchman injured his back against Sporting in the Europa League.
If Arsenal are to kick on and improve again next season, keeping Saliba around was key for Arteta. The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the best young players in the Premier League and has become vital to his club both in an out of possession.
Arsenal have also tied up new contracts for Aaron Ramsdale, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli this year, as Arteta looks to keep the young core of his squad together in the long-term.
Saliba is valued at €55 million by Transfermarkt.
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Arsenal transfer news is ramping up this summer, with the Gunners set to loosen their wage structure to attract the best players.
Moises Caicedo is heavily linked, Xavi Simons is on the radar, Ivan Fresneda could join and Ilkay Gundogan is wanted, too. Arsenal could sell £100m worth of players, too – with William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey all wanted by clubs overseas.
Jay Bothroyd, meanwhile, has told FFT that the Gunners perhaps surprisingly, should be in the market for a striker.
