Arsenal Transfer News: Mikel Arteta gets MAJOR William Saliba contract boost after Champions League exit

Arsenal are aiming to brush off their Champions League disappointment by tying William Saliba down to a new contract after receiving an encouraging update over Real Madrid’s interest in their star defender.

The Gunners have now gone five years without a trophy under Mikel Arteta after being knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and, with Saliba’s contract set to expire in 2027, the Champions League exit will only have intensified speculation over the Frenchman’s future.

Real are hoping to execute their tried-and-tested transfer policy of convincing their top target to either force a cut-price transfer or run down their contract and leave on a free, similar to their signing of Kylian Mbappe last summer.

However, according to L’Equipe, Arsenal are said to be ‘aware’ of Real aiming to ‘plant a seed’ in Saliba’s head and sporting director Andrea Berta is aiming to get ahead of the Spanish giants by opening talks over a new deal for the 24-year-old imminently.

And Arsenal’s motivation to speedily resolve Saliba’s future could significantly impact Real’s transfer plans, with rumours already suggesting that the Madrid outfit have now switched their attention to a new target.

Real ‘closing in’ on Huijsen transfer with Saliba hopes fading

Spanish outlet MARCA report that Real are ‘closing in’ on a deal for Dean Huijsen, with the Bournemouth youngster allegedly being the ‘most talked-about’ name at the club.

Huijsen has a release clause of €58 million in his contract, which has attracted the attention of teams such as Cheslea, Liverpool and Newcastle, however the Spaniard has been vocal over his preference to move to Real.

Real had initially been hesitant to splash out on a new defender this summer but, having missed out on Leny Yoro last summer, Real are said to be ‘actively pursuing’ a move for Huijsen.

The interest in Saliba will still remain, with Real not giving up hope on convincing the Arsenal man to stall on signing a new deal, but it appears Los Blancos are making other arrangements in case the French international commits his future to the Gunners this summer.

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