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Arsenal facing battle to keep hold of William Saliba?

Arsenal facing battle to keep hold of William Saliba?
© Reuters
Arsenal are reportedly facing a battle to keep hold of defender William Saliba, who is wanted by as many as three clubs this summer.

As many as three clubs are believed to have made enquiries about Arsenal defender William Saliba as the Gunners fight to keep hold of the centre-back.

Just 12 months ago, the Frenchman's Emirates future was shrouded in uncertainty in the wake of three separate loan spells to Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille before his first-team debut.

With the latter, Saliba won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season, and Marseille made no secret of their desire to sign him on a permanent basis.

However, the 22-year-old elected to return to North London, and having belatedly made his Arsenal breakthrough, he has been an invaluable member of the Gunners' first team.

Saliba has registered three goals and one assist from 33 appearances in his debut season, and his recent absence with a back injury has coincided with Arsenal's collapse in the title race.

William Saliba in action for Arsenal in September 2022© Reuters

The Gunners have won just four of their 10 Premier League matches without the France international, and their second-placed finish was confirmed in a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

With their fate sealed, attention is now turning to contract renewals and the transfer market for Arsenal, who recently triggered a 12-month extension in Saliba's terms to keep him on the books until 2024.

Mikel Arteta's side remain in talks with the defender's camp over a new long-term deal, and the Gunners boss is confident that an agreement will be reached, but there is yet to be a breakthrough in talks.

Saliba will not be short of offers if he does decide to advance his career elsewhere, and according to RMC Sport, three leading clubs have made contact to ask about a possible summer move.

The report does not name the trio of interested parties, but the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have previously been linked with moves for Saliba amid his strong first campaign in English football.

William Saliba in action for Arsenal in August 2022© Reuters

Before sustaining his injury against Sporting Lisbon in March's Europa League showdown, Saliba had formed an effective pairing with Gabriel Magalhaes, who committed his future to Arsenal earlier this year.

Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale have also penned new deals with the club this season, with the latter signing an extension until 2026 with the option of a further year only a few days ago.

The Gunners are believed to have reached a verbal agreement over a renewal for Bukayo Saka too, and the England international's fresh terms - which will supposedly run until 2028 - could be announced before the end of the month.

Arsenal will conclude their Premier League campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers next Sunday, where Saliba is once again expected to miss out with his back injury.

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