Arsenal’s defensive linchpin William Saliba has reportedly made a decision that could send shockwaves through the Emirates. According to a report from Spanish outlet AS, the French international has decided not to extend his contract with the Gunners — a move that is bound to concern the Arsenal faithful.
Saliba, who joined Arsenal in 2019 from Saint-Étienne, had a rocky start to life in North London. Despite being highly rated, he spent multiple seasons out on loan before finally making his competitive debut in the 2022/23 campaign. Since then, however, he has emerged as one of Mikel Arteta’s most trusted and consistent performers.
The 24-year-old has formed an exceptional partnership with Gabriel Magalhães at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, playing a key role in the club’s rise back into the Premier League elite and their return to the Champions League. Calm on the ball, strong in duels, and tactically intelligent, Saliba is now widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in world football.
Naturally, his rise has attracted attention — particularly from Real Madrid, who are believed to be admirers of Saliba’s profile. Madrid are currently in the process of planning a generational overhaul in defence, with question marks surrounding the long-term futures of David Alaba and Nacho Fernández. The Spanish giants reportedly see Saliba as a future leader in their backline and have already initiated contact with his representatives.
Arsenal, aware of the growing interest, have been eager to tie the defender down to a long-term extension. According to reports, the club is willing to offer a new deal that would keep him at the Emirates until the summer of 2032 — a massive show of faith and commitment. However, Saliba has allegedly informed the club that he does not intend to renew his contract, mirroring the situation surrounding Ibrahima Konaté at Liverpool.
Saliba’s current contract is set to expire in June 2027, giving Arsenal some time, but not much flexibility. If he maintains his stance, the club could be forced to consider selling him as early as next summer in order to avoid the risk of losing him for free two years later — a scenario that would be both financially damaging and a major blow to their sporting project.
This development places Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director, Andrea Berta, under immediate pressure. Since arriving at the club, Berta has prioritized contract extensions for key players, and Saliba’s future is reportedly high on his agenda — alongside that of Bukayo Saka, who is also drawing interest from abroad.
While the focus over the past few weeks has been firmly on the summer transfer window, Arsenal are expected to resume talks with Saliba’s entourage once the window closes. The Gunners remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached, but if AS’s claims are accurate, they could be fighting a losing battle.
For now, Saliba remains fully committed on the pitch, but off it, the uncertainty around his future could cast a long shadow over Arsenal’s plans moving forward. With Real Madrid circling and negotiations stalling, this is a situation that needs urgent resolution — or it could get messy quickly.
