Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Tue 9 May 2023 12:00, UK

Arsenal remain confident of agreeing a new contract with star defender William Saliba, sources have told Football Insider.

It is believed talks are ongoing with the 22-year-old centre-back, who has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers during the 2022-23 campaign.

Saliba, who joined Arsenal back in 2019, is currently out of contract in June 2024.

The France international, who earns a reported wage of £40,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium, can currently negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign sides from January 2024.

But Arsenal are confident of extending his contract to both prolong his time at the club and protect his transfer value.

Saliba has turned out 33 times across all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign, notching three goals and one assist.

He had started the first 27 Premier League games of the season with Arsenal mounting an unexpected title challenge, but was sidelined in mid-March with a back injury.

The centre-back has missed the last eight top-flight games and his involvement in the remainder of this term is unclear.

Mikel Arteta has turned to Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior to replace Saliba in the Arsenal starting eleven.

Gabriel Martinelli signed a new Gunners deal running until 2027 back in February, but the futures of several stars remain unresolved.

In addition to Saliba, Bukayo Saka is out of contract in 2024 – while midfielder Granit Xhaka is also set to enter the final 12 months of his deal next month.

Arsenal are one point adrift of Premier League leaders Man City having played a game more than their title rivals.

Arteta’s side face Brighton, Wolves and Nottingham Forest in their final three outings of the 2022-23 campaign.

In other news, Arsenal now want to sign Ben White replacement.