Mikel Arteta has confirmed he has spoken with William Saliba about his future at Arsenal, insisting the Frenchman remains happy in the face of transfer interest from Real Madrid.

With Saliba approaching the final two years of his contract, Madrid have set their sights on the centre-back as their next blockbuster acquisition. Bernabeu officials are dreaming of snapping him up for cheap next summer or even landing him on a free transfer in 2027.

Complicating Madrid’s pursuit has been several public displays of commitment to Arsenal from Saliba, who first reassured fans of his happiness at the Emirates and later named the Gunners as the club of his dreams growing up.

Arsenal are looking to secure Saliba’s future with a new big-money contract and Arteta has revealed conversations with the 24-year-old have only boosted his confidence that Saliba will stay at the club.

“I leave [transfer talks] more for Andrea [Berta, sporting director] and the club to talk about,” Arteta began. “What I’m certain, because I had a conversation with him, that he’s so happy here, that he wants to continue with us, and what will happen in the future.

“Obviously it’s our negotiations and things that have to take time and process and be on top of them, but I’m quite confident that William is very happy here and that’s the place that he wants to be.”

Despite the obvious difficulties in completing this deal, Madrid appear undeterred and Spanish publication MARCA named Saliba as club president Florentino Perez’s “chosen one” earlier this week.

It is claimed talks over a future move have already been held behind the scenes, but Arsenal remain confident of keeping hold of their star centre-back who, alongside defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes, is in line for a new contract this summer.