Arsenal now reportedly face the risk of losing one of their most important players to Paris Saint-Germain after being left shocked by the star's latest salary demands.
The north Londoners have come off the back of a relatively successful campaign, having been Premier League log leaders for a lengthy 248 days.
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Although they eventually lost out on the league title to Manchester City, Mikel Arteta's side had some star performers in their ranks this season, including Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and William Saliba.
The latter was arguably their most important defender, with his absence for the final 11 games of the EPL campaign due to a back injury proving detrimental to the side's fortunes.
Saliba had also played the full 90 minutes in 26 of his 27 starts before being ruled out of for the remainder of the season in March.
The 22-year-old's importance to the team is thus evident, and given that his contract is set to expire in June 2024, Arsenal want to tie him down to a new deal.
However, it is now reported that the Gunners are shocked by the salary the France international is demanding to agree to a renewal.
According to the Daily Mail, Saliba earns just £40 000 (R980 000) a week in London, and Arsenal have offered to triple his wages to £120 000 (R2.9 million) in a bid to have him extend his stay at the Emirates.
With that offer said to be nowhere near what the centre-back is demanding, it is believed the English giants will likely give in to Saliba's camp due to their unwillingness to let him leave and potentially join PSG, whom, it is claimed, could easily pay what his entourage are pushing for.
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It is further stated, though, that Gunners manager Arteta is confident the former Olympique Marseille star will eventually pen a new deal with the Londoners when the time is right.
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