Arsenal: £27m star now holding 'initial discussions' over deal at the Emirates

Arsenal have held ‘initial discussions’ over a new long-term contract with Emirates Stadium favourite William Saliba, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Having spent close to £120million on securing reinforcements during the summer transfer window, which closed earlier this month, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has turned his attentions towards negotiating fresh terms with some of his key players in north London.

It is understood that Arsenal are pushing hard to tie Saliba, along with team-mates Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, down to a new long-term contract.

The Gunners have reached out to the central defender’s representatives and are anxious to reach an agreement over fresh terms after the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona were linked with making a move during the summer.

Saliba has entered the final two years of his contract, which is worth £40,000-per-week, but he has established himself as a key component of Arsenal’s backline since the new season got underway.

The 21-year-old has failed to miss a single minute of the north Londoners’ Premier League campaign so far and even got his name on the scoresheet during a comfortable win over newly-promoted Bournemouth last month.

Saliba has been called up to France’s squad for the upcoming international break, where his country will face Austria and Denmark in Nations League clashes.

Jones understands that Saliba and his representatives have already headed to the negotiating table to discuss a new deal which will keep him at Arsenal long-term.

The journalist believes the Gunners are still mulling over what terms should be offered, but a proposal is in the offing.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “There have been some initial discussions about a longer deal.

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