Arsenal has made a new offer to its French defender William Saliba to extend his contract, in a move aimed at protecting the player from the temptations of major European clubs, according to the website "Foot Mercato".

Saliba, who is 24 years old, is contracted to the Gunners until June 2027, but the club's management is seeking to resolve his situation early, especially as he approaches the final year of his contract next summer. The new offer includes an extension for an additional five years, but negotiations are still ongoing without reaching a final agreement so far.

Saliba is a key player in Arsenal's defense and the French national team, having played 28 international matches. He previously played for Saint-Étienne, Nice, and Marseille before establishing himself in the starting lineup under coach Mikel Arteta.

However, Arsenal recently suffered a significant blow after Saliba sustained an ankle injury during the Liverpool match at the end of August, which will keep him out of action for three to four weeks, causing him to miss important matches, including against Manchester City, Newcastle, as well as the match against Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League.

The absence of the French defender poses a challenge for Arteta at a time when major European clubs are increasingly interested in Saliba's services, with Real Madrid at the forefront, closely monitoring future developments.