Arsenal have held 'very good' talks with William Saliba about extending his contract at the Emirates Stadium, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Lowdown: Saliba's contract situation
The 21-year-old's current deal expires at the end of next season, with Arsenal retaining the right to extend it by an extra year. However Mikel Arteta will surely be very keen to tie him down to a long-term contract, given his importance to the team.
The Frenchman has emerged as a vital part of the Gunners' backline this season, making 18 appearances in the Premier League in a breakthrough season after returning from a loan spell at Marseille.
The Latest: Saliba 'happy' at Arsenal
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Romano stated that talks are progressing well between club and player, claiming that there is no reason why Arsenal shouldn't be able to reach an agreement with Saliba on an extension.
The Italian said: “I’m told the conversations are very good between Saliba and Arsenal. The player is really happy at Arsenal. I honestly don’t see there being a big problem or any issues here.”
The Verdict: Fantastic news
The 21-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Gunners this season, one of 11 players in the squad who's averaging a SofaScore match rating of 7.0 or above, and there is every indication that he has the potential to develop even further.
An aspect of Saliba's game which sets him apart from other centre-backs is his ability on the ball, averaging a pass completion rate of 92.2% per 90 in the past year, placing him in the 97th percentile compared to his positional peers in Europe's top five leagues.
Considering that he has completed 0.54 dribbles per 90 in the same timeframe, the youngster is clearly comfortable in possession, meaning that Arteta can trust him in being able to bring the ball out of defence and advance it into more threatening areas.
Hailed as an 'outrageous' talent by Connor Humm, Saliba is the perfect modern centre-back, and Arsenal should now ensure that his long-term future is played out at the heart of their defence by offering him lucrative new terms.