A move Mikel Arteta was condemned for earlier now seems like a masterstroke as Arsenal nears a deal for a star who will make £200,000 per week at the Emirates.
When William Saliba, who originally cost £27 million to sign in 2019, was loaned back to France on three consecutive occasions, questions were raised.
The center-half was regarded by many as one of the most talented center backs French football has produced recently. Arteta chose to exercise patience rather than rush the young player into Arsenal’s starting lineup.
At the start of this season, Saliba finally got his moment, and the 22-year-old rapidly formed an unbreakable alliance with Gabriel Magalhaes.
In fact, their partnership was so effective that Ben White, who had performed admirably in a central position the season before, was moved to right-back.
Saliba is already one of the top center backs in the Premier League, therefore it comes to reason that if he spent the 2019–22 season warming the bench at Arsenal, he wouldn’t be the player he is now.
Instead, Saliba made nearly 100 first-team appearances while on loan in France, proving that Arteta’s cautious approach paid off.
When Arsenal’s title defence stalled while the Frenchman was out with a back ailment, Saliba’s value to the team was never clearer.
Saliba’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2024, and if this season is any indication, the defender is already Arsenal’s best.
A new and improved agreement has long been the subject of discussions. The end is near, according to a recent statement from Fabrizio Romano.
Saliba transaction is “advancing”; £200,000 per week is expected
In fact, the transfer guru tweeted that the negotiations to extend Saliba’s contract are “advancing” for Arsenal.
There will be more conversations “in the next hours,” according to the agenda.
Arsenal, Saliba, and his representatives are all in agreement and are “confident” that a deal can be reached.
Regarding Saliba’s expected salary, the Daily Cannon recently reported that the proposed new contract would be worth about £200,000 per week.
That places him on a par with Bukayo Saka, who signed new deals on May 23. According to the source, though, Saka’s deal includes add-ons and bonuses that, if everything works out, could bring him closer to £300,000 per week for the winger.
In a subsequent tweet, Romano asserted that Saliba’s new contract is anticipated to last through the summer of 2027. Later, David Ornstein of The Athletic announced that a deal had been reached.