William Saliba is set to sign a new contract at Arsenal, despite interest from Real Madrid.
The Frenchman has established himself as one of the best defenders in world football in recent years, and there were subsequently fears amongst Gunners supporters that he could be tempted by a move to the Bernabeu, with his current deal at the Emirates expiring in 2027.
However, David Ornstein broke news on Thursday that Saliba is prepared to commit his future to Arsenal and will sign a five-year contract imminently.
Securing the 24-year-old’s long-term future is a major coup for Arsenal and Andrea Berta.
What William Saliba thought of Real Madrid interest
Real Madrid are arguably the biggest football club in the world.
Regardless of where a player is in their career, there’s always a chance they’ll be seduced by the bright lights of the Bernabeu if Florentino Perez comes calling.
Trent Alexander-Arnold left his boyhood club Liverpool for the La Liga giants for free last summer, and many Arsenal fans were fearful of Saliba doing the same.
Real Madrid were preparing to sign Saliba for free in 2027, but Berta had other ideas. The Italian sporting director and Mikel Arteta moved quickly to convince the player to remain in N5.
Speaking on the Gab and Juls Show, French journalist Julien Laurens revealed that the imposing centre-back never had eyes for the Spanish capital.
“With Saliba, I think, he wanted to commit his future to the club,” Laurens said.
“There was never in his mind an idea of leaving, going to Real Madrid with a year left on his contract next year, or things like that, forcing a move.
“He’s very happy in London, he’s very happy at Arsenal with Mikel Arteta, who played him, started him against Port Vale with a very strong Arsenal team.”
Bukayo Saka must be the next to sign a new Arsenal contract
Berta has done an incredible job convincing key players to stay in North London thus far.
Before Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all agreed to commit to Arteta’s project over the summer.
Edu’s successor now has one more major contract renewal to sort out.
Bukayo Saka’s current deal expires in 2027, and the Gunners desperately need to tie the winger down to more lengthy and lucrative terms that reflect his standing in the squad.
A boyhood Arsenal fan and Hale End graduate, the North London club’s hierarchy shouldn’t have too difficult a task convincing Saka to stay, although if Real Madrid come calling then the situation could become more complex.
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