With the January transfer window on the horizon, Arsenal look set to attempt to bring in a number of first-team players who can help them in their pursuit of the Premier League title. Perhaps one of the most important tasks of the new year for Mikel Arteta and Edu though, is tying down Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to new long-term contracts.
The talented trio have been instrumental in Arsenal's impressive start to the season, where 12 wins from 14 games have placed them top of the Premier League, clear of Manchester City by five points.
Those performances have seen interest arise in all three and technical director Edu is set to open talks with Saliba, Saka and Martinelli in the next few weeks, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Gunners do have some assurance regarding the trio though, as football.london understands there is an option to extend Saliba and Saka's respective deals by at least another year, as well as Martinelli's by a further two.
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The future of Saka and Saliba seems more complicated than Martinelli's though, given his state of mind about remaining at the club, with the Brazilian saying in November, "I want to stay they just need to give me a pen," at Arsenal's pre-Zurich press conference.
SPORT have now suggested that could soon arrive with Martinelli reportedly 'close' to signing a new contract until 2027, with the 21-year-old feeling comfortable in Arteta's project.
Football.london, meanwhile, currently understands that Arsenal are confident in securing a new deal for Martinelli, especially as the Brazilian wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli's blistering start to the season saw interest emerge from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, but he seems to have his heart set on remaining in north London, with a new contract likely on the horizon.
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