Arsenal's task of getting William Saliba to sign a new long-term contract has just got even tougher, with three major clubs said to be lining up a transfer swoop.
Saliba, 22, has been in talks over a new deal throughout much of the season, with his current contract set to expire in just 12 months' time. Arsenal are in the process of extending the stays of various key players, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale becoming the latest star to commit his future to the Gunners when an announcement was made on Thursday.
But highly-rated centre-back Saliba, whose injury sustained in March has played a crucial role in the collapse of Arsenal's Premier League title charge, remains on his previous deal which he penned in 2019, having signed from French side Saint-Etienne for £27million as a teenager. Now, with only one full season in the first-team, the 22-year-old's Gunners career could be jeopardy.
Although Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident that Saliba will put pen to paper on an extension, RMC Sport in the defender's native France report that three unnamed major clubs are circling in the hope of a move. It emerged last year that European champions Real Madrid were keen on his services, while Italian giants AC Milan also registered interest, although a lack of Champions League football renders the latter's chances unlikely.
In January, after beating North London rivals Tottenham 2-0, Saliba declared that he was "so happy" playing for the Gunners, adding: "The club is speaking with my agent and me. The only thing I can do is focus on my football."
Technical director Edu has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that Saliba's future is at the Emirates, with Arteta confirming this month: "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.
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"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."
As for matters on the pitch, the France international isn't expected to return to competitive action until the start of next season. After two years out on loan, Saliba has been a revelation in Arsenal's back line and forged an imperious partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes over the first two thirds of the campaign.
But when Saliba suffered a back injury during the Gunners' Europa League last-16 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in mid-March, Arteta and co's hopes of winning a first English title in 19 years were rocked. Fans hope that the Frenchman will still be around to have another crack next year.
