Arsenal defender William Saliba has dropped a huge hint over his future following reports that the Gunners have opened talks to extend his current deal at the Emirates Stadium.
The 21-year-old has finally been given his chance to impress in north London after signing from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for £27million, before spending the last three campaigns out on loan in France and winning the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year award last term.
And following an impressive start to life in the Premier League this season, the Gunners are now looking to extend Saliba’s current deal, while the Frenchman has given his own verdict on his current situation after helping the Gunners to the top of the table.
Speaking to Sky Sports , the Frenchman admitted that London is his 'home' and 'likes' Arsenal. "Yes, for sure," he said, when asked if he feels at home. "I'm at home here. I like London, I like the club, I like everything. I feel at home here."
As aforementioned, Saliba initially moved to London in the summer of 2019 after arriving in a big money move from Saint-Etienne at just 18-years-old, but has only been handed a chance in the first team as of this season after his impressive campaign with Marseille last year.
After threatening to leave the club this summer should he not be given a chance at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta threw the 21-year-old straight into the starting lineup alongside Gabriel Maghaeles in central defence for the opening day victory over Crystal Palace.
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Since then, neither Saliba or Arteta have looked back, as the Frenchman has started all seven of Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures. In that time, he has helped the Gunners to keep three clean sheets and even found himself on the scoresheet on two occasions. Indeed, Arteta has showed loyalty to his defender this season and has been repaid with a string of impressive performances.
Saliba has quickly turned into one of the best centre backs in the Premier League and Europe for his dominant and commanding performances, with the Gunners now looking to extend his current deal beyond the summer of 2024.
Arsenal are said to be mulling over what terms to offer Saliba, who is one of the lowest earners at the club after signing a £40,000-per-week deal back in 2019. However, following his performances so far for Arsenal this season, that number is expected to rise drastically.
The 21-year-old is also a fully-fledged French international, with five caps to his name since receiving his first call up back in March, and has been named in Didier Deschamps’ squad for Nations League ties against Austria and Denmark in the current international break.
The Gunners are also aiming to tie down Bukayo Saka to a fresh deal in the near future and it is thought that the England international is their main priority as things stand, meaning a deal for Saliba may not be agreed on until after his teammate has been dealt with.
