05 May 2023 , 21:30
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Mikel Arteta has insisted Arsenal are determined to keep France defender William Saliba despite growing concern over his long term future.
Arsenal have activated a 12 month extension option on Saliba’s current deal securing him until 2024 but there has so far been a stalemate on the 22-year-old’s contract talks.
The Gunners will not want to risk Saliba running his deal down and walking away for free so the pressure will be on him to sign.
Arsenal have tried to tighten up on players and not allow them to go into the final two years of their deal for fear of being held to ransom on contract negotiations.
But Arteta insisted that technical director Edu is confident of reaching agreement and rewarding Saliba’s performances this season with a big-money long term deal.
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Arteta said: “We want to keep our best talent. Especially the players that deserve some recognition. I think he has been incredible since he came back from his loan period and we want to reward him, that is for sure. We will find the right moment to do that.
“Obviously Edu and the board are on top of every negotiation regarding new contracts and now we are doing everything we possibly can to do that in the right moment at the right time. The communication and the relationship is super. It is about timing, I think. Nothing else.”
Arsenal are confident of tying Saliba to a new deal (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Arsenal are close to announcing a new deal for Bukayo Saka but Reiss Nelson is set to leave the Emirates on a free transfer this summer.
West Ham are keen on Nelson who wants more game time despite his impact this season from the bench in Arsenal’s title push.
Saliba is set to miss the rest of the season with a back injury and his absence has been a major factor in Arsenal’s slump in form which will only strengthen his hand in negotiations.