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William Saliba, the France centre-back, 24, has evolved into one of the most important players for Arsenal, not just in defense but also taking the mantle of being a leader of the team. After making his return to Arsenal ahead of the 2022-23 season upon the completion of the loan deal to Marseille, the Frenchman has played a key role in helping the Gunners finish in second place in the Premier League in two consecutive seasons.
But, it is important to note that William Saliba will be entering the final year of his current contract at Arsenal after the completion of the 2025-26 season, which has sprung the club into action in recent weeks to get him to sign a new contract. As per Mick Brown on the latest Inside Track podcast on Football Insider, the North London club is keen on keeping him, as part of the ongoing long-term project of manager Mikel Arteta.
William Saliba's future at Arsenal could depend on Ibrahima Konate's next destination
Notably, the Gunners are reportedly a bit uneasy about whether William Saliba will sign a new contract with them amid the delay in discussions around it, especially since Real Madrid are monitoring him. But, at the same time, if Los Blancos can get in an agreement with Ibrahima Konate to sign him on a free transfer after his current contract with Liverpool expires next summer, then Arsenal might not have to be worried about William Saliba’s future.
Mick Brown was quoted as saying on the Insider Track podcast about the future career trajectory of William Saliba in club football, “Look, the interest from Real Madrid, PSG or whoever, that’s not going to go away because Saliba is a top player and one of the best centre-backs in European football. But I think Arsenal, they’re in talks over a long term improved contract to try and keep him and sort of say that they see him as a mainstay in the team going forward.”
“I think there’s confidence within the Arsenal side that they can get a deal done to sort of extend his stay at the North London club and sort of end this ongoing speculation that he could be prised away,” he added.
