Arsenal in talks over 'biggest deal in history' after Mikel Arteta message

Cameron Smith

22 Sept 2025 09:45 BST
4 min read

Arsenal are pushing to finalise a new long-term contract with William Saliba as they look to fend off significant transfer interest from Real Madrid.

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The France international has been identified as Florentino Perez’s dream centre-back target for 2026, however Arsenal are determined to agree a contract extension with Saliba in order to end speculation of an exit.

Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€57.9M - €96.5M

The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the world’s best defenders since moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2019 and the Gunners are in active negotiations over a new deal, as revealed by FootballTransfers back in July.

Saliba’s current contract in north London is due to expire in 2027 and the club are determined to agree fresh terms before he enters the final year of his deal.

William Saliba to set new Arsenal record?

Mikel Arteta is determined to retain Saliba and TEAMtalk claim that he is heavily involved in contract extension talks with the Frenchman.

Arsenal are pushing to finalise a new five-year deal with Saliba and he could reportedly be rewarded with a 50% salary increase if he puts pen to paper at the Emirates Stadium.

© IMAGO - William Saliba is in talks to extend his Arsenal contract

TEAMtalk even believe Saliba could become the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history if he agrees to extend his stay with Arteta’s side as the club believe he is a “cornerstone of their future.”

The Gunners view Saliba as an integral member of Arteta’s long-term project in north London and although they reportedly value him at roughly €100 million, they have no intention of sanctioning a departure, despite the summer arrivals of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.

Real Madrid are widely expected to sign Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate or Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi on a Bosman deal next summer if Saliba agrees to extend his Arsenal contract, with Los Blancos expected to raid the free agent market yet again in search of defensive reinforcements.

Saliba has racked up an impressive tally of 138 first-team appearances for Arsenal, scoring seven goals, and he is currently the fifth-most valuable defender in world football, as per FootballTransfers’ in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model.

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