Antonio Rudiger has expressed a strong desire for one of Arsenal’s standout players to join him at Real Madrid. The two-time Champions League winner has praised William Saliba, stating that the 23-year-old French center-back would be his dream signing for the Spanish giants. Saliba has been a vital part of Mikel Arteta’s team, showcasing his composure and defensive prowess.
Arsenal has recorded three clean sheets in the Premier League and none in their two Champions League matches this season. During an appearance on the Inside Scoop podcast, Rudiger, who joined Real Madrid in 2022 and has since won seven trophies, highlighted Saliba’s impact. When asked which defender he would want at Real Madrid, he said, “I would choose William Saliba.”
While Rudiger expressed satisfaction with his current center-back partner, Eder Militao, he acknowledged the need for rotation due to the demanding schedule. “To have Saliba… it would be great,” he added.
Rudiger praised the partnership between Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, ranking them among his top three center-backs. “Saliba, Virgil van Dijk, and Gabriel from Arsenal are all fantastic,” he remarked. He noted how the two Arsenal defenders have developed over two seasons, becoming key players in the team’s transformation. “Gabriel is the more aggressive leader, while Saliba plays with such finesse. They have arguably formed the best defense in the league.”
Mikel Arteta has built a defensively solid squad, further solidified by their recent 2-0 victory against PSG in the Champions League. However, signing Saliba would be a challenging and costly endeavor for any club, especially since he signed a four-year contract with Arsenal in July 2023, extending until 2027. A move to Madrid could potentially break the current transfer record for a defender, held by Josko Gvardiol, who transferred to Manchester City for £77.6 million in 2023.
Despite Real Madrid’s financial resources, Rudiger may be out of luck, as Saliba is committed to Arteta’s vision for Arsenal. In a recent interview, Saliba stated, “I still have goals and ambitions because I haven’t won anything. I want to win trophies with Arsenal and the national team.” When discussing his partnership with Gabriel, he added, “There’s no secret. We both speak French, and we’re now in our third season together.”
