William Saliba has agreed to sign a new five-year contract with Arsenal, ending months of speculation linking the French defender with a move to Real Madrid. The 24-year-old center-back is expected to put pen to paper on the deal in the coming days, extending his stay at the Emirates Stadium until June 2030 and making him one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players.
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Contract Details and Financial Impact
The agreement represents a significant victory for Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who has been working tirelessly on this deal since his appointment in March.
The new contract will see William Saliba become one of the highest earners at the club, with reports suggesting his salary will exceed €12 million annually – a figure that reportedly stunned Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
| Contract Details | Current Deal | New Agreement |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | Until 2027 | Until June 2030 |
| Annual Salary | ~€6-8 million | €12+ million |
| Market Value | €80 million | Expected to rise |
| Squad Number | 2 | Expected to remain 2 |
The financial commitment demonstrates Arsenal’s determination to retain their prized asset and signals their intent to compete at the highest level. Saliba’s market value has exploded from just €22.5 million when he signed in 2019 to €80 million currently, according to Transfermarkt, and this figure is expected to rise further following his contract extension.
Real Madrid Interest Definitively Ended
William Saliba’s decision to commit his future to Arsenal represents a major blow to Real Madrid, who had identified the Frenchman as their priority center-back target for 2025. Los Blancos were hoping to capitalize on his contract situation, with Saliba having entered the final two years of his previous deal. However, the defender’s loyalty to Arsenal and the club’s substantial financial offer have ended any hopes of a Santiago Bernabeu switch.
The Spanish giants’ interest was serious, with Madrid viewing Saliba as the ideal long-term replacement for their aging center-back options. David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger’s uncertain futures had made defensive reinforcement a priority, but Real Madrid will now be forced to pursue alternative targets, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate emerging as a potential option.
Saliba’s Journey: From Loan Spells to Arsenal Cornerstone
William Saliba’s path to becoming Arsenal’s defensive talisman has been far from straightforward. After joining the Gunners from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 for approximately €30 million, the young defender spent three seasons on loan, honing his craft in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne, Nice, and Marseille.
Career Development Timeline
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | Saint-Etienne (loan) | 17 | 0 | Development season |
| 2020-21 | Nice (loan) | 22 | 1 | First senior goal |
| 2021-22 | Marseille (loan) | 52 | 2 | Champions League experience |
| 2022-23 | Arsenal | 38 | 2 | Breakthrough season |
| 2023-24 | Arsenal | 38 | 2 | Title challenge |
| 2024-25 | Arsenal | 7 | 1 | Current season |
It wasn’t until the 2022-23 season that Mikel Arteta finally gave Saliba his chance in the Arsenal first team. The wait proved worthwhile, as the Frenchman immediately established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders. Since becoming a regular, William Saliba has made 139 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, scoring seven goals and providing crucial defensive stability.
The Gabriel-Saliba Partnership: Arsenal’s Defensive Foundation
The partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes has become the cornerstone of Arsenal’s recent success. Since August 2022, when this defensive pairing was established, Arsenal have transformed into regular title contenders, boasting one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenses.
This season alone, Arsenal’s backline has kept clean sheets in five out of their seven games, with only Liverpool and Manchester City managing to breach their defense. Remarkably, Erling Haaland’s opener in the recent Manchester City clash represents the only goal Arsenal have conceded from open play all season, highlighting the defensive solidity that Saliba brings to the team.
The statistics reveal the importance of William Saliba to Arsenal’s defensive structure. When he is absent from the team, Arsenal concede goals at twice the normal rate, emphasizing his irreplaceable role in Mikel Arteta’s system. This defensive reliability has been crucial to Arsenal’s recent campaigns, where they have consistently challenged for major honors.
Arteta and Edu’s Reactions: Building for the Future
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at securing Saliba’s long-term future, emphasizing the defender’s importance to the squad’s development. “To have William extend his contract with us was something we have wanted to do for a long time,” Arteta stated. “William proved last season just how good and how important he is to our squad. The ability he has at his young age is exciting, and there is so much more room for development.”
Sporting director Edu Gaspar highlighted how the contract fits into Arsenal’s broader strategy of retaining young talent. “We are so happy to have signed a new deal with William Saliba. William is part of our vision to keep our talented young players, who will hopefully be successful with us for many years to come, so that we can grow and progress together.”
Squad Stability: Part of Arsenal’s Retention Strategy
William Saliba’s contract extension is part of a broader retention strategy orchestrated by Andrea Berta. The sporting director has successfully secured new deals for several key players in 2025, including fellow center-back Gabriel Magalhaes and promising academy products Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
This approach represents a significant shift from Arsenal’s previous policy, where the club was often seen as a stepping stone for elite players. Under Arteta and Berta’s leadership, Arsenal have transformed their narrative, convincing top talents that the Emirates Stadium is where they can achieve their ambitions.
The next major contract challenge for Berta will be securing Bukayo Saka’s long-term future, with the England winger also due for renewal. Having successfully retained two-thirds of their key trio (Gabriel, Saliba, and Saka), Arsenal are in a strong position to complete their retention masterclass.
International Recognition and World Cup Experience
William Saliba’s club form has translated into international recognition, earning him a place in the France national team squad. The defender has accumulated eight senior international caps and was included in France’s squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, showcasing his development into a world-class center-back.
His performances for both club and country have established him as one of Europe’s most sought-after young defenders, making Arsenal’s success in retaining his services even more significant. The contract extension ensures that Saliba will continue his development at the Emirates Stadium, potentially reaching even greater heights in the coming years.
Looking Forward: Arsenal’s Title Ambitions
With William Saliba’s future secured until 2030, Arsenal can now plan their title challenge with confidence, knowing they have one of Europe’s best young center-backs committed to the project. The defender’s combination of pace, aerial ability, and ball-playing skills makes him ideally suited to Arteta’s possession-based system.
At just 24 years old, Saliba is entering his prime years as a center-back, suggesting Arsenal fans can expect to see the best of him in the seasons ahead. His partnership with Gabriel provides the defensive foundation upon which Arsenal can build their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
The contract extension not only secures a world-class defender but also sends a strong message to the football world that Arsenal are serious about competing at the highest level and can convince elite talents to commit their futures to the club’s project.
Read More: Liverpool Defender Giovanni Leoni Out for 9 Months After ACL Injury on Debut
FAQs
How long is William Saliba’s new Arsenal contract and when does it expire?
William Saliba has agreed to a new five-year contract with Arsenal that will run until June 2030, extending his stay from the previous deal that was set to expire in 2027.
How much will William Saliba earn under his new Arsenal contract?
While exact figures haven’t been officially disclosed, reports suggest Saliba’s new contract will make him one of Arsenal’s highest earners, with an annual salary exceeding €12 million.
Was Real Madrid really interested in signing William Saliba from Arsenal?
Yes, Real Madrid had identified Saliba as their priority center-back target and were monitoring his contract situation. However, his new Arsenal deal has definitively ended their interest in the French defender.
When did William Saliba first join Arsenal and how long did it take him to become a regular?
Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 but spent three seasons on loan before finally establishing himself as a first-team regular in the 2022-23 season under Mikel Arteta.
How important is William Saliba to Arsenal’s defensive record?
Saliba is crucial to Arsenal’s defense – statistics show that Arsenal concede goals at twice the normal rate when he’s absent from the team, highlighting his irreplaceable role in Mikel Arteta’s system.
