‘There have been discussions’: Journalist hints at major update at Arsenal

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Arsenal have reportedly taken the first steps to hand William Saliba a new contract, with the Gunners keen for the 21-year-old centre-back to sign a longer deal after a fantastic start to life in the Premier League.

According to journalist Dean Jones via GiveMeSport, internal talks have already begun at Arsenal over handing Saliba a new long-term contract, with Saliba starting every league game for Mikel Arteta this season and establishing himself as one of the north London side’s best players.

The reporter said when asked about Saliba’s contract situation at Arsenal: “There have been some initial discussions about a longer deal. I don’t think the terms of that deal have been detailed just yet, but it is certainly one on the horizon.”

Saliba was again on the scoresheet at the weekend as the defender scored his second goal of the season in a 3-0 win against Brentford to put Arsenal back on top of the Premier League standings, with the Gunners now keen to sign the centre-back down to a new contract.

The youngster’s current deal expires in 2024, and Saliba’s performances could draw in transfer interest if Arsenal don’t work fast enough to sign the defender down to a new contract, with the Gunners potentially losing their £27m superstar on the cheap if they fail to act now.

Indeed, whilst the looming threat is there, Arteta’s record at getting players to commit to new contracts is quite impressive, and the 40-year-old manager could now do the same with Saliba in the coming week as talks over a long-term deal finally begin to take shape behind the scenes at Arsenal.

Saliba signing new Arsenal contract will be massive for Arteta

Saliba has clearly established himself as a world-class player in the making based on his early performances for Arsenal this season, and signing the towering centre-back down to a new contract will be a massive result for Arteta, who has seemingly got his squad on the right track this campaign.

Indeed, Saliba’s quality makes him already one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and if Arsenal are able to commit the defender to a new long-term contract, the Gunners’ will have quite the force in their squad for many years to come in what is to be an exciting era for the north London side.