<strong>William Saliba breaks his silence on Arsenal future amid contract talk and Real Madrid interest</strong> | OneFootball

France defender William Saliba has moved to ease the fears of Arsenal fans who fear he might leave the club at the end of his contract by declaring: “I am really happy here. I want to continue here.”

The centre back, 23, has been linked with a Real Madrid transfer bid and reports that Arsenal are ready to counter any offers by handing him a £250,000-a-week long term deal to stay at the club.

Asked for his view on the situation, he calmly stated: “For me, I’m really happy here. I’ve been here for two years and a half years as well. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.”

“Contract talks? Not yet, because there is some years left, so there is no rush at the minute. I’m happy here, that’s it.”

Saliba signed for Arsenal in a £27million move from St Etienne in 2019 but was out on loan when Mikel Arteta led the Gunners to their 2020 FA Cup Final win at Wembley.

He has since established himself as a key player for France and formed a formidable defensive partnership alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the Premier League.

Now he seems set to stay and pursue his chase for silverware with Arsenal. He explained:  “Yeah, of course I want to win big things with Arsenal. I grew up an Arsenal fan If you love this club, and it didn’t mean anything, of course I want to win big things here.”

Saliba is also keen to play as much as possible despite talk he might be rested for Arsenal’s second leg last 16 Champions  League tie at home to PSV Eindhoven.

He was labelled a colossus after winning 11 aerial battles in Arsenal weekend match away to Manchester United and is in no mood for a rest.

He concluded: “I like being a colossus. It’s a good stat, but I can do better I think. I don’t know if I’m playing tomorrow, maybe tonight or tomorrow. I want to play it’s a Champions League game.”