William Saliba has caught the attention of Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants eager to secure the Arsenal defender in what could be a record-breaking transfer.
Read Also: Chelsea’s New Wonderkid Who Could Be Argentina’s Next Superstar
The 23-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019, has become one of Europe’s most sought-after defenders. Despite making 109 appearances for the Gunners, Saliba’s trophy haul is limited to two Community Shields (2020 and 2023).
Real Madrid’s interest in Saliba has been ongoing, and reports suggest they’ve made the French international their defensive priority.
While Arsenal have reportedly rejected a significant bid from Paris Saint-Germain for Saliba, Madrid remains undeterred. According to Sport, they are prepared to “break all records” to bring him to the Bernabeu, potentially offering upwards of €100 million (£83m).
Although Arsenal currently have no plans to sell Saliba, the defender’s entourage has responded positively to Madrid’s initial inquiries. Madrid’s strategy reportedly involves encouraging Saliba to request a transfer to facilitate negotiations.
Saliba’s contract at Arsenal runs until 2027, but Madrid hopes Kylian Mbappe’s presence could sway the defender. The two French stars share a close bond, having grown up together in Bondy. Mbappe’s father, Wilfrid, played a pivotal role in Saliba’s development during his youth days, with Saliba previously crediting Wilfrid as a key influence.
“Wilfrid Mbappe helped me a lot at a young age,” Saliba shared in a 2023 interview. “He was honest and pushed me to become a better player. While I started as a striker, he convinced me to transition into a defensive role.”
Real Madrid’s defensive plans don’t stop with Saliba. They are also targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies to strengthen their squad.
Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger, Madrid’s current centre-half, has praised Saliba as one of the world’s best defenders. In an interview with The Inside Scoop, Rudiger highlighted the partnership between Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães at Arsenal.
“They’ve been outstanding for two years. Gabriel is aggressive and a leader, while Saliba is calm and plays clean. It’s impressive,” Rudiger said.
On the possibility of playing alongside Saliba in Madrid, Rudiger added, “If he keeps performing the way he does, it’s clear where his future could lie.”
Madrid’s pursuit of Saliba, coupled with their readiness to spend big, signals their determination to dominate defensively. The coming months will reveal whether Arsenal can hold onto their prized defender or if Madrid’s persistence will pay off.
Rodrygo plus 120M that’s the deal