Arsenal Manager Arteta Affirms William Saliba's Contentment at the Club Despite Real Madrid's Attention
No doubt about it, William Saliba is all in for Arsenal, according to their manager Mikel Arteta. In a press conference on May 2, Arteta shared that Saliba is more than willing to continue his Gunners journey.
"You can bet your bottom dollar, I've had a chat with Saliba, and he's over the moon here," Arteta said with conviction. "He's keen as mustard to stick with us. I'm pretty confident that William feels right at home here, and that's where he wants to stay."
The 24-year-old French defender has been a tower of strength for Arsenal this season, making 27 Premier League appearances and contributing to 11 clean sheets. He's also bagged two goals and displayed an outstanding passing accuracy of 93.43% with 80 clearances in UEFA Champions League, spanning seven matches.
Despite his significant contribution to Arsenal's defensive setup, Saliba has found himself at the center of transfer gossip. Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid have allegedly marked him as their top defensive target for the upcoming transfer window, with rumors of a record-breaking offer to lure him away.
To combat this, Arsenal is reportedly ready to put a fat contract offer on the table to ensure Saliba stays put at the Emirates. The possible new deal could see him pocketing up to €300,000 per week, with his current contract set to expire in 2027.
Arsenal's efforts to tie down the French international reflect their intention to establish a long-term presence in North London with him.
Extra Bits
- Arsenal is actively working on extended contract negotiations with Saliba, hinting at their eagerness to secure him long-term[4].
- The need to prevent Saliba from becoming a free agent in 2027 and potential interest from Real Madrid may prompt Arsenal to act swiftly[3][4].
- Real Madrid's focus on other targets and their preference for pursuing free agents might momentarily sideline their pursuit of Saliba, but they could still aim for a future transfer in 2026 or wait until 2027 to avoid transfer fees[5].
- Mikel Arteta's confirmation about William Saliba's commitment to Arsenal has put an end to the transfer rumors linking him with Real Madrid.
- Despite the attention from European leagues, particularly the Spanish giant Real Madrid, Saliba remains dedicated to his Gunners journey.
- Arsenal's eagerness to establish a long-term presence in North London is evident in their negotiations for an extended contract with French international defender, William Saliba.
- With his current contract set to expire in 2027, Arsenal is reportedly preparing to offer Saliba a lucrative deal, potentially paying him up to €300,000 per week.
- Amid the transfer speculation, Saliba's impressive stats for Arsenal, including 27 Premier League appearances, 11 clean sheets, and 80 clearances, underscore his importance to the Gunners' defensive setup.
