Arsenal are yet to make a signing this summer, but they've managed to tie down two more senior players to new contracts and William Saliba is expected to follow suit.
Shortly before the 2022/23 campaign concluded, it was announced that England internationals Aaron Ramsdale and Bukayo Saka had committed their futures to the club - just like Gabriel Martinelli and Mohamed Elneny earlier in the year - by putting pen-to-paper on new deals.
With the Gunners then reaching a breakthrough with Reiss Nelson over a new contract, naturally attention turned to Saliba as Frenchman's current deal is due to expire at the end of next season and getting his future sorted as early as possible has been a top priority for Mikel Arteta heading into the summer transfer window.
"We are trying. We are having conversations and we are trying to maintain the talent we have at the club as I said before," he said when asked if he was willing to risk Saliba's contract going into the final 12 months. "But things take time. You have to agree it. There are different parties involved. I think everybody’s intention is the same and hopefully, we’ll find the right solution."
The good news is that technical director Edu Gaspar and Director of Football Operations Richard Garlick - whose main role entails negotiating contracts with both existing and new players - are on the verge of officially meeting Arteta's request as football.london understands that all parties have reached an agreement that will keep Saliba at the Emirates Stadium until 2027 at the latest.
Of course, all that remains is for the central defender to sign his new contract and as per the club's official website following Friday's release list: "Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts; joining/re-joining us; or leaving us will be officially communicated as soon as they are confirmed."
READ MORE: Arsenal announce release list as 13 players bid farewell with Reiss Nelson offer confirmed
As expected, this development has already garnered plenty of excitement amongst the fanbase - with the club saving millions of pounds in the process - and apparently, as well as one Arsenal player in particular as defender Gabriel Magalhaes has taken to social media to deliver his verdict on the situation.
On Instagram, journalist Fabrizio Romano posted an image of Saliba alongside details of the aforementioned contract agreement.
And, as seen in the screenshot below, the aforementioned Gabriel has seemingly given his approval to the deal by liking the picture as he prepares to continue his blossoming partnership with Saliba which was cut short back in March when the Frenchman suffered a season-ending injury.
It's no surprise that Gabriel is delighted at the news of Saliba extending his stay in north London having heaped praise on the 22-year-old after making his Premier League debut on the opening day of last season.
"For me, he’s the best! He’s very young, very promising and a very good player," the Brazilian said, as per Standard Sport after Arsenal's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park "I am so happy to play with him, together. He has now started in the Premier League and he was so good.
"The team did very well. They showed intensity and everyone stayed together. It’s very difficult to play here, but our keeper was strong. I believe in this team and it was very good. We got a clean sheet and three very good points."
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