Arsenal Targets Next Star for Contract Extension Following Saliba's Breakthrough Deal
Arsenal have reportedly begun discussions with versatile defender Jurriën Timber regarding a contract extension, as the Netherlands international continues to grow in importance under manager Mikel Arteta.
The North London club has already secured Gabriel, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and William Saliba with fresh long-term agreements in recent months, offering each player enhanced terms that recognize their outstanding contributions. Leandro Trossard has similarly penned a new deal, though his arrangement involved salary improvements without extending the duration of his current agreement.
BBC Sport indicates that discussions with Timber and his agents are in their "initial phase", though there exists a "mutual desire from all sides" to extend the 24-year-old's deal past its present 2028 conclusion.
Timber joined Arsenal from Ajax in a transfer valued at £34.4 million ($45 million) during July 2023, although his inaugural campaign was disrupted by a knee problem sustained against Nottingham Forest on the first matchday of the 2023–24 season.
His return to Premier League competition didn't occur until May 2024 during the final match against Everton, but he has subsequently emerged as a crucial component of Arsenal's backline, claiming the primary right-back position over Ben White. He accumulated 48 matches across all tournaments in 2024–25 and has featured in eight games this season, missing only the Carabao Cup third round victory against League One side Port Vale.
Arsenal Also Looking to Tie Down Saka
Arsenal remain confident that Bukayo Saka will commit to a fresh agreement with the club as negotiations progress. Saka has been sidelined briefly this season due to a hamstring problem, but netted his second strike of the campaign during the midweek encounter as Olympiacos were defeated 2–0 in the Champions League.
Sporting director Andrea Berta experienced an active summer acquiring players such as Viktor Gyökeres, Martín Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapié, while Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri's extensions were finalized during the transfer period.
Saliba completed his new five-year contract earlier this week, and further won over Arsenal fans when questioned about rejecting a possible free move to Real Madrid.
"He secured some silverware with Liverpool. Me? I haven't claimed anything here apart from [the] Community Shield. I've accomplished nothing for this club to consider departing. I want to remain here and capture numerous trophies. I adore this club. I cannot depart without repaying them something. I won nothing, so my primary option was to stay here and achieve everything first," Saliba stated, discussing Trent Alexander-Arnold's transfer and Madrid's appeal.
"I understood that I wanted to remain here for additional years, so I wasn't really considering the other clubs. I am delighted to be here."