Andrea Berta has already conducted significant business at Arsenal this summer, signing six new players and tying two down to new contracts.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera have all arrived for fees totalling around £140 million, while Viktor Gyokeres is set to join them through the doors at London Colney.
Meanwhile, Myles Lewis-Skelly has put pen to paper on a new long-term deal, and Gabriel Magalhaes has also committed his future to the North London club.
Despite this, Berta still has a lot of work to do this summer, with two more players in need of new deals and one more signing needed on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack.
Arsenal confident of tying William Saliba down to a new contract
William Saliba has established himself as one of the best defenders in world football in recent years.
The Frenchman is imperative to Arsenal’s defensive resilience, with his ability to sweep up being exceptional due to his timing, intelligence, and athleticism.
With just two years remaining on his current deal, securing the player’s long-term future is of paramount importance to the Gunners, and this would arguably be more significant than any new signing.
Saliba is wanted by Real Madrid, who could look to snap the centre-back up on a free transfer in 2027, if he opts not to renew at the Emirates.
According to journalist Sam C, Los Blancos have made contact with the 24-year-old’s camp in recent weeks.
However, Sam C also reports that Arsenal are confident that Saliba will sign a new deal and commit his future to the North Londoners.
The former Marseille man is said to be content in N5 and isn’t keen on completing a move before the World Cup next summer.
Saliba has started 35 and 38 Premier League games in each of the last two seasons at Arsenal, highlighting how indispensable he is to Mikel Arteta’s team.
Re-signing William Saliba would be a statement of intent from Andrea Berta
People at Arsenal have been impressed with Berta thus far, and his excellent dealings behind the scenes are starting to become more obvious in the public domain.
Negotiating outstanding deals for the likes of Gyokeres and Mosquera, the Italian sporting director has significantly improved the overall level of Arsenal’s squad this summer, without spending ludicrous amounts of money.
Securing new deals for Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel represents more astute negotiating from the football administrator, but a new contract for Saliba would be his most impressive piece of business yet.
While a new deal for Bukayo Saka is to be expected, given the player’s ties to the club and a lack of realistic potential suitors, Berta would be forgiven for not being able to convince Saliba to reject the bright lights of the Bernabeu.
Tying the France international down in the face of interest from Real Madrid would be a real statement of intent, and Berta would certainly merit his flowers if he’s able to pull it off.
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