Goonersworld

The Gunners have also stepped up talks to extend the contract of France centre-back William Saliba, who has been linked with Real Madrid. The aim is to prevent the 24-year-old leaving for a cheaper price when he has one year left on his deal next summer, or on a free transfer when his contract ends in 2027. (L'Equipe, via Get French Football News)

theHotHead wrote:Could it be that we have been overrating him?

He has had some outstanding games but the mistakes he is making now were always there, they were just never highlighted so much.

VCC wrote:Gabby and Saliba must be kept the partnership is to good and maybe will never be any better, hard to improve on what they have together

theHotHead wrote:The mistakes we have been seeing from Saliba I don't think would've been prevented had Gabriel been playing, they seem to be lapses in concentration or just dawdling on the ball, they are not positional errors.

Nuggets wrote:

VCC wrote:Gabby and Saliba must be kept the partnership is to good and maybe will never be any better, hard to improve on what they have together

True, but will they want to stay within the team winning FA ?

Arsenal have opened talks with France centre-back William Saliba, 24, over a new contract amid interest from Real Madrid. (Athletic - subscription required)

I broke the news yesterday that Arsenal have opened talks with him over a new contract. He's approaching the final 24 months of a 4-year contract that was signed in 2023—and therefore this is normally the point at which clubs look to renew their best players or sell them. They certainly don't want to sell Saliba and want to renew him, so there Sporting Director Andrea Berta has initiated talks with Saliba's representatives.

There have been no offers so far, but that is only a matter of time. It will follow in due course, as Arsenal look to intensify these conversations and, in their mind, reach an agreement.

Now, Saliba is pursued by Real Madrid. They really would like to sign him—he would be ideal for them and their president Florentino Pérez. However, Arsenal will do all they can to keep hold of him. If he does leave the Emirates Stadium, I think Real Madrid is his most probable destination. Despite thee fact that he will have all matter of suitors, he's only going to play his career at the top but Arsenal will have other ideas about that.

The thing in this is that he will want a deal that is reflecting his elevated status; one of the leading central defenders in the Premier League and beyond. He is a starter for the French national team as well. So there is no guarantee how this will finish, but at Arsenal there is great determination to make sure that William Saliba is with them for a long time to come. He is happy at the club and in London, so that bodes well, but they will have to get the terms of this proposed deal right. It may take some time, but it's a big matter on their in-tray.

Santi wrote:Needs to step up next season if he wants us paying big money. Been really poor this year.