Arsenal open William Saliba contract talks amid Real Madrid transfer interest | OneFootball

Andrea Berta to lead discussions with extensions also wanted for Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri

Arsenal have opened contract talks with defender William Saliba.

Saliba’s current contract will have two years left to run come the summer and the Gunners want to agree fresh terms.

Real Madrid are interested in the Frenchman, but he said in March that he was currently happy at the Emirates Stadium.

“For me, I’m really happy here,” said Saliba. “I’ve been here for two-and-a-half years. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.

Manager Mikel Arteta has publicly spoken about his desire for Arsenal to tie down their best players to new contracts.

Bukayo Saka, like Saliba, will have only two years left on his deal this summer and Arsenal plan to hold talks with him, too.

Academy graduates Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly will both have 12 months left on their respective deals at the end of the season.

Arsenal are confident of agreeing fresh terms with those players that will see them commit their futures to the club.

“I mean, if we have to put energy, the most energy we have to put is making sure that the players that we have with us are happy, they feel valued, they feel very much part of what we are doing, they feel important,” Arteta said last month.

“And then the rest of the necessities, we can look, especially in our academy first and then if we cannot do that, elsewhere.

“Myles has played a lot, and Ethan has played a lot, I think. He started a few days ago against Everton away.

Arsenal have a busy summer ahead and new sporting director Andrea Berta will lead contract renewals for players.

The Italian is also driving the club’s recruitment plans, with Arsenal keen to add a new striker, midfielder, winger and back-up goalkeeper. A new defender may also come in, depending on outgoings.