Arsenal
Mick Brown
Sun 18 May 2025 8:00, UK
Arsenal are preparing to offer William Saliba a bumper new contract to ensure his long-term future is at the club amid interest from Real Madrid.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 24-year-old remains a key part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are pushing to sign Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen as their top target and the Gunners believe that will cool their interest in Saliba.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 9 May that Arsenal are opening talks with Saliba as Madrid planned to unsettle him before making a move.
While the France international’s current contract is set to run until 2027, Los Blancos had begun eyeing up a free transfer similar to that of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That has forced Arteta’s side to accelerate their plans to offer him a new deal as they have no intention of seeing him leave any time soon.
Arsenal
Arsenal are planning to offer William Saliba a new contract. (Credit: Imago)
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Arsenal plan to hold William Saliba contract talks
Brown told Football Insider in February that Madrid are likely to move for Saliba and have identified him as the clear long-term option at the back.
The former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Arsenal are now prepared to open talks ahead of the off-season.
“*Real Madrid have a big job on their hands,*” he told Football Insider.
“With the manager leaving, they could look to make big changes, and centre-back is a key area for that.
“Saliba has been one they’ve looked at, but Arsenal don’t want to lose him.
“Getting him tied down to a new contract is going to be a real priority for them and they’re planning to hold talks with him in the summer.
“They’ll offer him a big new deal because he’s an important part of their team and plans for the future.
“One thing that will have come as a positive to Arsenal is the talk about Dean Huijsen.
“It look like he’s the one Madrid want this summer and are going to push for, so that could make them ease away from Saliba.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Anthony Gordon update emerges after Gabriel Martinelli latest
Alongside their attempts to keep their star players at the club, the Gunners are also aiming to strengthen Arteta’s squad as they aim to challenge for trophies.
Brown told Football Insider on 15 May that Arsenal want to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and have been keeping tabs on his situation.
They are expected to step up their efforts to sign a winger to bolster Arteta’s side amid speculation about the future of Gabriel Martinelli.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider Arsenal will listen to offers for Martinelli if they can sign a replacement in the transfer window.
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