Arsenal plan to step up contract negotiations with centre-back William Saliba next week, according to a report.

After three years on loan in France with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille respectively, Saliba has since established himself as a first-team regular under head coach Mikel Arteta this season.

The 21-year-old has started in all 18 of Arsenal's Premier League games this term, helping the Gunners keep nine clean sheets and consolidate their position at the top of the table.

Saliba has now entered the final 18 months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium and both the defender and Arsenal are keen to agree fresh terms over a new deal.

According to ESPN, Arsenal are planning to step up contract talks with Saliba at some stage next week and there is a 'willingness on all sides' for an agreement to be reached.

The France international recently revealed that he is enjoying his time with the Gunners and has hinted that contract talks are taking place behind the scenes.

"I am so happy here. The club is speaking with my agent and me, the only thing I can do is [focus on my football]. I am so happy here," Saliba told reporters via the Evening Standard.

Asked if Arsenal's 2-0 triumph in the North London derby over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday could influence his decision whether to remain with the club, Saliba said: "Yeah, of course!"

Arteta has also acknowledged that Saliba is "willing" to commit his future to the Gunners and is optimistic that both parties can soon come to an agreement.

Speaking to reporters earlier this month, the Spaniard said: "We have a few of those that we are willing to extend the contract. Willy is one of them.

"I think he's shown in the months that he's been with us the quality and the personality he has to play at the level that we want. We are trying to do that because we know he can be a really important part of our plans.

"I hope [negotiations are moving quickly]. That's more to Edu and the board to be discussing with him. What I know is that the player is really happy, the player wants to be here and that's the main thing."

Arsenal are also said to be keen to extend the contracts of key attacking duo Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners allegedly triggered a one-year extension in Saka's deal at the beginning of this month, keeping him tied to the Emirates until June 2024, but they are hoping that he will commit to longer terms in the near future.

Martinelli's contract also expires in the summer of 2024, and a report from last month claims that the 21-year-old is ready to commit his future to the club until 2027. body check tags ::