Arsenal trigger 12-month extension in William Saliba’s contract, Charlie Patino also pledges future to club – Report

Arsenal have reportedly triggered a 12-month contract extension which will keep William Saliba at the club until 2024.

Saliba has been a mainstay in Arsenal’s defence this season, featuring 18 times and forming a partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes as the Gunners bid for a first Premier League title since 2003/04.

The 21-year-old had spent three seasons on loan back in his native France after signing for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for £27m in the summer of 2019.

However, he has finally claimed a stake in Arsenal’s first team, proving his worth with a number of standout performances, helping Mikel Arteta’s side to establish a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.

It is understood Saliba’s contract was due to expire this summer, meaning that the France international would have been able to hold talks with foreign clubs from January onwards.

But, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have triggered the one-year extension and remain in talks with the defender over a new long-term deal.

“We have a few of those that we are willing to extend the contract. Willy is one of them,” Arteta told the press ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brighton.

“Willy is one of them. I think he’s shown in the months that he’s been with us the quality and the personality he has to play at the level that we want. We are trying to do that because we know he can be a really important part of our plans.

“That’s more to Edu and the board to be discussing with him. What I know is that the player is really happy, the player wants to be here and that’s the main thing.”

Meanwhile, Romano also claims that Arsenal have opted to trigger a contract extension to keep the highly-rated midfielder Charlie Patino at the club until 2025.

The 19-year-old’s future in north London had been uncertain, with his current deal due to expire in the summer.

Patino is yet to feature in a Premier League match but made his first start in last season’s FA Cup defeat by Nottingham Forest and in August joined Championship side Blackpool on loan for the 2022/23 campaign.