Arsenal 'trigger William Saliba contract extension'

The 21-year-old did not make a single competitive appearance during his first three seasons with the Gunners after joining from Saint-Etienne for a £27m fee in the summer of 2019.

Saliba immediately re-signed for Saint-Etienne on loan, and he was also sent back to France with Nice and Marseille before Mikel Arteta deemed him ready for Premier League action.

Since forcing his way into Arsenal's first team, Saliba - whom Marseille tried desperately to sign on a permanent basis - has been lauded as one of the best Premier League centre-backs of the season.

The 2021-22 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year has two goals and an assist from 15 games, helping Arsenal establish a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.

According to The Athletic, Saliba's contract was originally only due to run until the summer of 2023, meaning that the France international would have been able to hold talks with foreign clubs from January onwards.

However, Arsenal are now said to have triggered a 12-month extension to maintain Saliba's services until 2024, having had until New Year's Eve to exercise their right to do so.

Saliba's entourage remain locked in talks with Arsenal over a new long-term contract, but it has been claimed that his agents are not happy with the wages that the Gunners are currently offering.

Nevertheless, manager Arteta remains confident that Saliba will commit his future to the North London giants and believes that the Frenchman is "really happy" in the English capital.

"We have a few of those that we are willing to extend the contract. Willy is one of them," Arteta told the press ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

"Willy is one of them. I think he's shown in the months that he's been with us the quality and the personality he has to play at the level that we want. We are trying to do that because we know he can be a really important part of our plans.

"That's more to Edu and the board to be discussing with him. What I know is that the player is really happy, the player wants to be here and that's the main thing."

Saliba's fellow 21-year-olds Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, both of whom are also due to become free agents in 2024, are also in negotiations with Arsenal over new long-term deals.

Martinelli has already expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal, stating that he "just needs to get a pen", and his current terms reportedly include a two-year extension option until 2026.

Meanwhile, both Arteta and Saka are hopeful that both parties can come to an agreement over the England international's new contract, although Liverpool and Manchester City are said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.