Arsenal: £27m star now holding ‘initial discussions’ over deal at the Emirates

Arsenal have held ‘initial discussions’ over a new long-term contract with Emirates Stadium favourite William Saliba, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Having spent close to £120million on securing reinforcements during the summer transfer window, which closed earlier this month, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has turned his attentions towards negotiating fresh terms with some of his key players in north London.

What’s the latest news involving Saliba?

It is understood that Arsenal are pushing hard to tie Saliba, along with team-mates Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, down to a new long-term contract.

The Gunners have reached out to the central defender’s representatives and are anxious to reach an agreement over fresh terms after the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona were linked with making a move during the summer.

Saliba has entered the final two years of his contract, which is worth £40,000-per-week, but he has established himself as a key component of Arsenal’s backline since the new season got underway.

The 21-year-old has failed to miss a single minute of the north Londoners’ Premier League campaign so far and even got his name on the scoresheet during a comfortable win over newly-promoted Bournemouth last month.

Saliba has been called up to France’s squad for the upcoming international break, where his country will face Austria and Denmark in Nations League clashes.

What has Dean Jones said about Saliba?

Jones understands that Saliba and his representatives have already headed to the negotiating table to discuss a new deal which will keep him at Arsenal long-term.

The journalist believes the Gunners are still mulling over what terms should be offered, but a proposal is in the offing.

Jones told GUNNERS247: “There have been some initial discussions about a longer deal.

“I don’t think the terms of that deal have been detailed just yet, but it is certainly one on the horizon.”

Why has this season been the first opportunity to see Saliba in an Arsenal shirt?

Although Arsenal forked out £27million to sign Saliba from Saint-Etienne three years ago, he was immediately sent back to his former employers for the 2019/20 campaign.

The centre-half also spent last season on loan with Marseille, while he enjoyed a previous spell at Nice due to failing to break into Arteta’s plans.

But, having made his long-awaited debut against Crystal Palace last month and been hailed as ‘superb’ by his boss, the five-cap France international has not looked back.