Arsenal star William Saliba issues transfer statement ahead of contract decision
William Saliba will have just two years remaining on his Arsenal deal this summer but has appeared to suggest he wants to stay at the Emirates after talking up the club's chances of winning trophies
by Oli Gamp · The MirrorArsenal defender William Saliba has insisted the club are "very close" to winning a trophy and the team "can't stop working" as the Frenchman approaches the final two years of his contract at the Emirates.
Saliba has been one of Arsenal's most consistent players over the last two seasons after emerging as one of the Premier League top centre-backs.
The 23-year-old's consistent displays have helped Arsenal mount three straight Premier League title challenges, but the team have agonisingly fell short to Manchester City in the last two seasons before seeing Liverpool go 15 points clear in this campaign.
Arsenal's only realistic hope of winning silverware lies in the Champions League after beating PSV 7-1 in the first leg of their last-16 tie, but then could face Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.
Saliba has spoken about Arsenal's ambitions while also appearing to commit his future to the club after saying he was keen to help the team end their five-year trophy drought.
"I think we are very close, we need to keep going,” Saliba said. "We can’t stop working. When you’re close and don’t win trophies it’s sad, with work we will make a big step and I am sure we will arrive there."
The France international added: "Everyone wants to win the Champions League, it’s a competition that’s hard to win, anything can happen."
Saliba, who is said to earn around just under £200,000-a-week at the Emirates, will see his current deal expire in at the end of the 2026-27 season.
Arsenal will soon be keen to tie Saliba down to fresh terms in fear of being placed in the same difficult position as Liverpool are currently in with Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk - who are all set to become free agents as things stand.
Saliba has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in recent months as they seek defensive cover following a number of injuries to their backline - including to Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Recent reports in Spain have suggested Madrid are monitoring Saliba's situation and could make a bid for him in 2026, when he has a year left on his contract.
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