Arsenal have been told by officials that a highly-rated France international could be available to sign in the near future, with the player attracting interest from Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Man City too.
Andrea Berta seals new William Saliba contract in boost for Arsenal
As first revealed by David Ornstein, star defender William Saliba has agreed to sign a new Arsenal deal which will keep him at the club until 2030.
This follows serious interest from Xabi Alonso’s Real, who are in the market for a world-class centre-back next summer, and Saliba’s contract was due to expire in just under two years.
Mikel Arteta was faced with a looming threat of losing the 24-year-old either next year — for a fee mooted to be around £70 million (El Desmarque) — or the summer of 2027 for nothing.
However, with Saliba now poised to pen a new long-term extension, all doubts surrounding his future have been removed. As a result, Arteta is set to benefit from having one of Europe’s best central defensive partnerships in the Frenchman and Gabriel – who also signed a new contract in the summer – for years to come.
Appearances
4
Minutes played
275
Clean sheets
2
Tackles made
8
Interceptions
3
Ground duels won
21/29
Aerial duels won
10
Clearances
18
via Footy Stats
Some reports have suggested that the ex-St Etienne star has been given a bumper pay rise to around £300,000-per-week — which would make him Arsenal’s highest earner above the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard.
New sporting director Andrea Berta was apparently key in securing Saliba’s future, with the Italian seriously upping the ante in talks since his appointment in March.
“It’s tough to really state just how big a deal this is for Arsenal. It’s absolutely huge news and a massive, massive boost to the club,” journalist Charles Watts told CaughtOffside.
“Talks have been going on for months now between the club and Saliba’s representatives, with sporting director Andrea Berta having really taken a firm grasp on the negotiations following his appointment in March.
“But they have really ramped up since the closure of the transfer window and now Berta and Arsenal have got the result they wanted.”
Interestingly, the ever-present Saliba could even help Arsenal secure a 2026 summer signing.
Agents tell Arsenal they could sign Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate
After missing out on Saliba, Real are likely to seriously pursue Liverpool star Ibrahima Konate, who’s available for nothing next year as things stand.
Since joining the Reds for just £36 million in 2021, Konate has formed an excellent partnership with Virgil van Dijk, but Arne Slot faces the prospect of losing him at the end of this season.
According to TBR Football and journalist Graeme Bailey, while Real are deemed top contenders for his signature, agents have now told Arsenal that they could sign Konate too, with his intermediaries reaching out to suitors as they prepare for the possibility of an Anfield exit.
“The ideal scenario for Liverpool is a new contract for Konate and signing Guehi on a free, but this is football and obviously neither could happen,” Bailey expanded.
“Richard Hughes, though, has gone head-to-head with Europe’s finest this summer, bringing in the likes of Isak, Kerkez and Ekitike – Liverpool fear nobody, both on the pitch or off it.
“But with Konate, they are aware that it is not just the likes of Madrid and Munich who could try and make him an offer, but they accept that – why wouldn’t someone like Chelsea make an offer if he is available on a free? Although clearly they hope it does not get to that point.”
As Konate’s camp refuse to rule out a move to one of Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, Arteta’s side already have a secret weapon.
William Saliba is like a "brother" to Ibrahima Konate
Saliba may well push the case of Arsenal to Konate given their friendship, with the 26-year-old already describing Arsenal’s star as like a “brother” to him despite their Premier League title rivalry.
“The tough part was to start regularly and not to play in a major tournament for which we prepared. From a private and personal standpoint, it was tough,” Konate told Canal Plus last year.
“But now, William Saliba is a friend and like a brother to me. I told him it was his moment, and that he had to seize it.
“Given his performances with Arsenal, he deserved it too. I was happy for him.”
The “sensational” defender would be a snip for Arsenal on a free transfer, but a lot could depend on whether Berta opts to trigger Piero Hincapie’s £45 million option to buy.
The Ecuadorian has been struggling with a groin problem, and as a result, hasn’t yet got a consistent run in Arteta’s team.