Tony Cascarino has issued a stark warning to Arsenal, emphasizing the need for the club to secure trophies to fend off interest from Real Madrid in defender William Saliba. Recent reports from France have identified Saliba as one of Madrid’s prime targets for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Despite Saliba’s contract extension, which ties him to Arsenal until 2027, Cascarino believes that the allure of success at a club like Real Madrid could be difficult to resist. He remarked on talkSPORT, “There are vultures in football hanging over clubs all the time to try to snatch their best players. There’s no bigger vulture than Real Madrid. If they’re after you, there’s a good chance [of the player moving].”
Saliba has established himself as a key player under Mikel Arteta, contributing significantly to Arsenal’s defensive line. However, Cascarino insists that for the Gunners to retain such talent, they must demonstrate their ambition by winning silverware both domestically and in European competitions.
“Winning and being successful is a great way of keeping players,” he added. “Saliba is playing to the level of being a Real Madrid player, but he’s got to be convinced that Arsenal is going to be a successful and winning team, challenging to win the Champions League because that’s what Real Madrid does so often.”
When asked about Saliba’s potential irreplaceability at Arsenal, Cascarino acknowledged the challenge but asserted, “Everyone is replaceable to a degree.” He pointed out that with Real Madrid’s reputation for frequently winning the Champions League, their interest in a player signifies a problem for Arsenal.
To counter the threat, Cascarino suggested that the club might need to consider offering Saliba a new deal to ensure his long-term commitment. “They might have to throw another new deal at him to try and keep him even longer. It’s going to be a problem, but that’s great for Arsenal as a football club because it shows they’re being successful,” he concluded.
As the season unfolds, Arsenal’s ability to compete for trophies could be pivotal in retaining their star defender amid growing interest from elite clubs like Real Madrid.
