Arsenal extend contract of impressive duo to kick start January transfer- sources

Arsenal have extended the contract of Bukayo Saka and French defender William Saliba to start their January transfer window according to LondonWorld.com sources.

The Gunners are still speaking to them about signing long-term deals as their current one was due to run out in the summer and Saka who has been one of the driving force in attack has indicated his desire to continue in north London even if an agreement has not been reached yet.

The one year extension was in their contract and it has only been triggered to give the club and players time to work on a long-term deal.

Saliba has been a breath of fresh air since returning from loan at Marseille. He has been a pillar at the heart of defence and is fighting to take the club back to where they belong, which is the top of the Premier League table and winning it for the first time since 2004.

Mikel Arteta has installed a culture of winning mentality at the club, which has seen them only lose one of their 17 Premier League games so far, they top the table with 43 points. That is seven ahead of second placed Manchester City.

Saka who was initially being monitored by Manchester City is likely to be offered a new deal in the region of £ 200,000- a-week to reflect his standing at the club and in football generally.

The 21-year-old also enjoyed a really impressive World Cup with England and it will be interesting to see what kind of position he takes if he’s able to lead Arsenal to a Premier League title against all odds.

Arsenal have striker Gabriel Jesus out with a knee injury that is likely to keep him out till the end of February and even though Eddie Nketiah has stepped up recently, the Gunners continue to be linked with Mykhailo Mudryk.