Arsenal handed huge £90m transfer update after completing statement deal

William Saliba has become the most valuable player at Arsenal after signing a new contract. The 24-year-old defender recently penned a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium, warding off interest from a host of clubs.

Before pledging his future to the Gunners, Saliba was approaching the final 18 months of his contract. The France international was rumoured to be on Real Madrid's radar, as well, but Arsenal successfully thwarted any advances from the Spanish capital.

According to football.london, Saliba feels that the north London outfit is the best place for him to achieve his ambitions. Andrea Berta spearheaded talks with the Frenchman, just as he did during negotiations with Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.

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From a business standpoint, the Saliba deal has already proven to be the sporting director's biggest triumph yet. According to the CIES Football Observatory, the centre-back's price tag skyrocketed after he signed an extension.

The report suggests Saliba is the most valuable player at the Emirates Stadium, with a market value estimated between €89m to €103m (£77m to £89m). It's claimed that Lamine Yamal is worth more than any other player in the world, boasting a market value which ranges from €329m to €383m (£286m to £332m).

The CIES Football Observatory has valued Erling Haaland as the most expensive star in the Premier League, too, with a market value between €228m to €265m (£198m to £230m). Meanwhile, Cole Palmer is currently touted as the most valuable Englishman, with an estimated worth of €139m to €161m (£121m to £140m).

Arsenal could be looking at a hefty profit on the £27m they shelled out for Saliba from Saint-Etienne back in July 2019. However, the defender has promised to give 'even more' for Mikel Arteta's side.

"I feel proud of myself because I first signed in 2019, and now in 2025, I'm still here to extend my contract," Saliba expressed after penning his new deal. "I'm so happy. I feel at home. We have a good team, we have a good squad, we have good staff.

"The coach is perfect for me, so it's the best place to be. I enjoy every day when I have the chance to wear this shirt. I try to give everything, and now I'll give even more to this club and to the fans."

Reflecting on his journey since making his debut against Crystal Palace three years ago now, Saliba said: "When you sign, you dream of playing many games, but it all comes so quickly. Before I signed, I didn't realise I would play a lot of games like this, so it's good and I want to play more.

"When I signed, I went back to Saint-Etienne, and I came back and then became a starter, so a lot of things have happened, but I'm so proud of my journey. I never gave up, even in the tough moments.

"Of course, I wanted to play straightaway, but I didn't expect that it would be as good as it was. I played well, we almost won the league in the first season, and we almost won the league the season after as well.

"I'm happy now, but not 100 per cent happy because we have to do more. We have to win titles, because it's what we want, what the club wants."

Saliba continued: "The boss is one of the best coaches in the world. He has helped me a lot, him and his staff, so I'm so happy to have them as a coach. I'm 24 now, and I think I haven't reached my peak.

"I have a lot of things to improve, a lot of things to give to this team, and I know that the coach and the staff will help me to become the very best, or one of the best, defenders in the world and win trophies."

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