William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are closing on the two-year threshold in their contracts
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are closing on the two-year threshold in their contracts
Arsenal are entering a very important and perhaps defining period of their modern history where, after a tricky start to the season, the club can either drop off and fall into a top-four race, or push on and try to claw their way back into the title discussion. The outcome could have a broader impact on their long-term aims too, and the view of the club’s future by those already there.
But the cycle has again come round and no sooner has it felt like the biggest profiles in the squad were safe, we see the end of the tunnel approaching again. Three players in particular stand out, because come the summer they will have the magic number of two years remaining on their deals.
This period has significance because it means should the club not renew at this point, one more season and the last summer before the expiration of their deal will arrive. Should the players wish to leave, the two-year threshold represents the club’s best chance to make a considerable sale on them too.
Big teams still lose big players even when they’re at the very top. Julian Alvarez leaving Manchester City, Eden Hazard leaving Chelsea and there are murmurs that Trent Alexander-Arnold may yet see his time at Liverpool end this season too with his contract set to expire.
For Arsenal, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba are the three in question who have contracts with the club until 2027. The club remain calm and confident on their futures, but it has not stopped the rumour mill from bubbling away.
Saliba in particular has been suggested to be of interest to both Real Madrid and PSG. With Eder Militao injured again and both Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba reaching the twilight years of their career, Saliba stands out as a perfect candidate.
It will be the job of the new sporting director to try and convince the trio to commit to further years with the club. Edu Gaspar has since resigned and was responsible for part of the discussions over all three’s last contract renewals.
Mikel Arteta too has a big role to play, as does the newly promoted managing director Richard Garlick and the recently appointed head of football operations James King. Yet Edu’s replacement will be a key figure in discussions and perhaps even their appointment may well be a factor in the player’s own choices too.
Join the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men’s team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
Join our Arsenal WhatsApp channel and get all the latest breaking news, opinion, podcasts and in-depth stories from football.london’s dedicated Arsenal writers straight to your phone!
By following this free service you will be the first to know the news from the Emirates Stadium as it happens, when it happens.
To join our dedicated Arsenal channel, all you have to do is click this link and you can join thousands of others following our Gunners coverage!
If you’re curious, you can check out our privacy policy here.
Leave a Reply