Arsenal chiefs are reportedly preparing to open a fresh round of contract talks with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli following the World Cup.
The three 21-year-olds have emerged as integral players for Mikel Arteta in the 2022-23 season, helping Arsenal surge to the top of the Premier League table.
New-and-improved deals for each player is now understood to be a priority for sporting director Edu, and discussions have been held with their representatives.
Talks were placed on ice as Saka, Saliba and Martinelli represented England, France and Brazil respectively at the 2022 World Cup, with the former and latter suffering quarter-final exits while Saliba came second with France.
All three players are due to become free agents in the summer of 2024, although Martinelli and Saliba's deals include options to extend for an additional 12 months.
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According to journalist Fabrizio Romano - via football.london - Arsenal are set to restart talks with all three players in the New Year as they return to North London following the World Cup.
Saka, Saliba and Martinelli are said to have attracted glances from elsewhere, with Liverpool and Manchester City both tipped to move for the former should he leave in search of Champions League football.
The England international scored three goals for the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup, while he has come up with four goals and six assists in 14 Premier League matches for Arsenal this term.
Arteta is understood to be optimistic about Arsenal's chances of agreeing a new deal with Saka, and the same can be said for his fellow attacker Martinelli.
The Brazil international has five goals and two assists to his name from 14 Premier League games in the 2022-23 season and made three appearances for the Selecao at the 2022 World Cup.
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Martinelli confirmed his desire to stay at Arsenal when questioned by reporters last month, saying: "I am very happy at Arsenal. I said it many times, I love to be here. I love the city, I love everything about Arsenal so I want to stay. Yeah, just need to get a pen."
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are both understood to have been keeping an eye on Martinelli at the World Cup, where Saliba also made one appearance for runners-up France.
The centre-back was sent out on loan to Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille before finally making his competitive debut for Arsenal, and he has been one of the standout defenders of the 2022-23 Premier League season so far.
Saliba has two goals and one assist from 14 starts in the top flight in the 2022-23 season, and he is also believed to have attracted glances from PSG alongside Martinelli.
The youthful trio are all expected to return in time for Arsenal's next Premier League fixture at home to West Ham United on Boxing Day.
Ben Knapton
