Arsenal and French central defender William Saliba have agreed to a new long-term contract that will keep the 24-year-old at the Emirates until the summer of 2030. The announcement brings to a close months of speculation linking Saliba with a move to Real Madrid, and it signals the club’s intention to build around its defensive core.
Saliba first joined Arsenal in July 2019 from Saint-Étienne in a deal reported at £27 million, though his early years with the club involved loan spells at Saint-Étienne, Nice and Marseille as he worked to earn a regular place in the starting lineup.
Over time he established himself as a key figure in the heart of Arsenal’s defense, forming a formidable pairing with Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Magalhães.
His development has drawn attention from across Europe, and Real Madrid was often mentioned among clubs interested in securing his signature. In recent weeks, reports suggested Madrid viewed Saliba as a rare defensive talent capable of anchoring their back line for years to come. But with the new contract sealed, Arsenal has quelled much of that speculation.
Under the new agreement, Saliba will now remain with Arsenal through the 2029–30 season, a five-year commitment that underscores how highly the club values him.
In the wake of the announcement, Saliba issued a statement reflecting both pride and humility. “I feel proud of myself because I first signed in 2019, and now in 2025 I’m still here to extend my contract,” he said. “I’m so happy. I feel at home. We have a good team, we have a good squad, we have good staff. The coach is perfect for me, so it’s the best place to be. I enjoy every day when I have the chance to wear this shirt. I try to give everything, and now I’ll give even more to this club and to the fans.”
Saliba also acknowledged that he does not believe he has yet peaked. “I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to give to this team, and I know that the coach and the staff will help me to become the best, or one of the best, defenders in the world and win trophies,” he added.
Manager Mikel Arteta responded to the news by praising Saliba’s character and trajectory. “William is loved by all the players and staff, and that speaks volumes about his character, commitment and attitude every day,” Arteta said.
“Since joining us, William has grown so much, embraced responsibility, and has created a strong connection with our supporters and everyone at the club. We know there is still so much to come from him and will continue to work together to keep improving with the clear ambition of winning major trophies.”
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, also weighed in. “We’re so happy that William has committed his future to us to be part of what we’re building here,” he said. “In the last three seasons, William has become an incredible defender whose composure, intelligence and physical presence make him one of the best in the world. He will continue his development with Arsenal to reach new heights. His consistency, maturity, and ability to influence matches will continue to be a big asset for us and we’re looking forward to many more great performances from him at the heart of our defence.”
One of us.
We’re delighted to announce that William Saliba has signed a new contract with The Arsenal pic.twitter.com/82i5CkiF5I
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 30, 2025
For Arsenal, securing Saliba’s future is a strategic victory. The club has undergone a policy of reinforcing long-term contracts for key players to avoid entering final contract years, which can weaken their negotiating power.
Gabriel, Saliba’s defensive partner, signed a contract extension earlier this summer until 2029, reinforcing the back line’s stability. The club is also reportedly turning attention to extending contracts for other key players, including winger Bukayo Saka, whose deal is set to expire in 2027.