William Saliba is willing to extend his contract and wants to stay at Arsenal, with contract talks reportedly progressing positively.

Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claims talks over a new Arsenal contract for William Saliba are progressing positively, with willingness from all parties to strike a deal.

Kaya Kaynak of Football.London confirms that talks are moving in a positive direction, with the player sharing Arsenal’s desire for him to stay.

As it stands, Saliba’s deal expires in 2024, and Kaynak writes that Arsenal have no option to extend it.

At the end of June, the defender will enter the final 12 months of his deal, emphasising the need to make progress on an extension.

Speaking in May, Arteta admitted there wasn’t a significant update to give on the talks, but he believes it’s just about the timing of an extension now.

“I think he has been incredible since he came back from his loan period and we want to reward him, that is for sure,” Arteta said. “We will find the right moment to do that.

“Obviously Edu and the board are on top of every negotiation regarding new contracts and now we are doing everything we possibly can to do that in the right moment at the right time.

“The communication and the relationship is super. It is about timing, I think. Nothing else.”

Saliba’s importance was felt through his absence towards the end of the season, with Mikel Arteta having to scramble to adapt his Arsenal team following the centre-back’s injury.

The French international has made 33 appearances for Arsenal since joining the club, all of which were in 2022/23.

With Gabriel Magalhaes extending his contract earlier in the season, Gabriel Martinelli following suit, and Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale signing new deals at the end of the campaign, fans will hope Saliba is next on the list.