Unlike most players nearing the conclusion of their contracts, the France international has just one year left on his current £40,000 per week contract, and the Gunners do not have the option of an extension.
Arsenal recently finalized new contracts for players like Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale, but negotiations with Saliba are proving more difficult.
Now, according to The Sun, Saliba’s entourage has shocked Arsenal’s management with their wage demands, and there is growing concern that the center-back might need to be traded this summer.
This is their final chance to profit if the 22-year-old decides not to renew because the north Londoners won’t let him let his contract expire and perhaps go on a free transfer.
Despite months of negotiations, parties are reportedly still far from reaching an agreement. Arsenal has so far offered the defender a contract worth £120,000 per week.
However, that is “nowhere near” what the Frenchman’s agents are asking for and, maybe more importantly, what Paris Saint-Germain could be willing to provide.
Since PSG is willing to go to any lengths to entice Saliba to the Parc des Princes, Arsenal is concerned that the French champions with Qatari support may make Saliba an extremely lucrative offer that they are unable to match.
Saliba fits every need for the Ligue 1 team as they try to add to their core of young French players in Paris during the upcoming transfer windows.
Saliba is currently one of the lowest-paid players in the first squad, and Arsenal is apparently “working overtime” to address the situation with him since they do not want to start the new season with any unanswered questions.
If Saliba informs Arsenal that he will not sign a contract extension, PSG would be hoping to secure a discounted price for the defender, and the Gunners may even struggle to recoup the £27 million they spent on the defender in 2019.
Saliba had a fantastic season back at the Emirates after spending the previous year on loan at Marseille, but he has been out since March with a back problem.
While the center-back was out with an injury, Arsenal’s performance suffered, scoring just nine of a possible 24 points in the final stretch. However, the medical staff is optimistic he will be fully recovered in time for preseason.
