Arsenal - Andrea Berta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal are preparing to step up contract negotiations with star duo Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, as the club looks to secure the long-term futures of two of Mikel Arteta’s most influential players, according toThe Athletic’s James McNicholas.
Following a record-breaking summer transfer window in which the Gunners spent close to £297 million on reinforcements, attention has now shifted toward retention, with talks over new deals for Saka and Saliba expected to accelerate in the coming weeks.
Both players remain central to Arsenal’s ambitions. Saka, 23, has cemented his place as the club’s talisman since his breakthrough in 2018, registering 59 goals and 66 assists in 235 appearances. His consistency has earned him consecutive inclusions in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.
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Saliba, 24, has been equally vital, establishing himself as one of Europe’s elite defenders and forming a rock-solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes that has already delivered two clean sheets in the opening three games of the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka with William Saliba
Bukayo Saka with William Saliba (Image credit: Getty Images)
The pair’s current contracts run until 2027, but Arsenal are eager to extend their stays to fend off growing interest from Europe’s elite. Saka has long been admired by Manchester City, while Paris Saint-Germain and several other clubs are keeping close tabs on Saliba’s situation.
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Negotiations are understood to be progressing positively, with the Gunners ready to reward both players with significant wage increases. Saka, currently earning around £195,000 per week, and Saliba, on approximately £190,000 per week, could soon join the club’s top earners, alongside the likes of Kai Havertz.
McNicholas notes that Arsenal’s heavy summer outlay, which included the signings of Viktor Gyokeres (£55.5 million) and Eberechi Eze (£60 million), reflects the club’s ambition to build a squad capable of sustained success. Securing the futures of Saka and Saliba is seen internally as equally vital to that project.
While the complexity of structuring such high-value deals delayed progress during the transfer window, sources close to the negotiations remain confident. Both players are believed to be fully committed to Arsenal, with talks focused on ensuring their contracts reflect their value and align with the club’s long-term ambitions.
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