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Football London
Football London
Sport
Kieran Horn

Arsenal make major contract decision as Edu eyes William Saliba and Bukayo Saka extensions

Arsenal look set to continue locking down the long-term future of their players after Gabriel Martinelli signed a new deal earlier this month. At the start of the season, nailing down the future of Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba was a priority for the Gunners and with part one already completed, Edu and Mikel Arteta are eyeing further extensions amid their Premier League title bid.

Following in the footsteps of Martinelli, Saka has told the club that he wants to stay as the Gunners close in on securing their star player to a new contract, football.london understands. Saka, who is into the final 18 months of his current deal at the Emirates Stadium, has enjoyed a stellar 2022/23 campaign, netting nine goals and providing a further eight assists in just 24 Premier League outings so far this term.

The form of the England international has seen Arsenal become shock title challengers this season and the Hale End grad will likely remain at his boyhood club for many years to come.

READ MORE: VAR chief makes major decision that affects Premier League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham

Perhaps the challenging extension to agree will be for Saliba, however the North Londoners have given themselves plenty of time. Earlier this year, Arsenal activated an option to extend his contract by a further year which now means his deal expires in 2025.

Crucial contract negotiations are not only taking place at senior level though with academy starlet Myles Lewis-Skelly set to sign a scholarship deal with the club, according to The Athletic. The 16-year-old has shined in Arsenal's FA Youth Cup run where Jack Wilshere’s under-18s will face either Manchester City or Oxford United in the semi-final.

Lewis-Skelly has trained with the first-team before and made a substitute appearance in the mid-season friendly against Lyon in Dubai. The teenagers existing registration is set to expire this summer, but Arsenal have an agreement in place with the exciting Hale End graduate to sign scholarship forms.

The deal will commit him for two years. Lewis-Skelly then turns 17 on September 26, at which point players are eligible to move to a lengthier and more lucrative professional contract.

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