Mikel Arteta has given an update on Arsenal’s contract talks with Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, with Andrea Berta stepping up attempts to extend the pair’s deals.
Speaking in his pre-Nottingham Forest press conference on Friday, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are in contract talks with the club, suggesting that there have been positive conversations with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta.
“That [progress] never stops,” Arteta said. “The collaboration between the club with what Andrea is doing, and the agent, is very good.
“The good thing is that the players want to remain here and be a big part of the history of this club in the next few years. That’s always positive. They’re willing to drive that and see where we are.”
Charles Watts had reported earlier this week that following the conclusion of the summer transfer window, Arsenal’s prioriy was to accelerate contract talks with Saka and Saliba.
Watts wrote that talks have been ongoing for a while now, and Arsenal are confident that discussions with both are players are going well amid a belief that they’ll ultimately decide to stay.
The noises around Saka are reportedly particularly positive, but there’s no certainty on exactly when the two situations might be resolved. Particularly as they both dragged on for so long before their last extensions.
Dahbia Hattabi had then reported for Foot Mercato on Thursday that Arsenal had made a five-year contract offer to Saliba. Hattabi added that discussions are ongoing and there’s no agreement yet, but the Gunners are hopeful of a positive response despite interest from other clubs.
With over three months until the next transfer window opens, and little expectation that Arsenal will be hugely active in January given the heavy investment this summer, Berta certainly has time to focus on these priority new contracts.