William Saliba is Real Madrid’s top defensive target, with the Spanish giants viewing the Arsenal centre-back as the ideal solution to their faltering backline.
At just 23, Saliba has established himself as one of the finest defenders in Europe, a reputation that has placed him at the centre of Real Madrid’s plans for a defensive overhaul.
However, Arsenal remain steadfast in their determination to keep their star defender, who is equally committed to his long-term future at the club.
According to Spanish media, Real Madrid have already made discreet inquiries regarding Saliba, hoping to tempt him with the allure of the Santiago Bernabéu. According to reports, they are prepared to break transfer records with an offer exceeding €100 million to secure his signature.
However, Arsenal, who rejected a €95 million bid from PSG just two months ago according to the Sport article in the screenshot above, have made it clear that Saliba is integral to their project under Mikel Arteta.
Saliba himself has shown no inclination to leave. Speaking recently, the French international reaffirmed his happiness at Arsenal, saying, “Yeah of course, I feel at home. I signed for the club five years ago but it’s only my third season and I’m enjoying everything – the players, the staff and the fans, so why not [see my future here]?”
His words underline his commitment to the Gunners, where he has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhães.
Real Madrid’s interest has drawn praise from within their own dressing room, with Antonio Rüdiger openly championing Saliba as the ideal addition.
“I say William Saliba,” Rüdiger said when asked which centre-back he’d like as a partner. “If you look at Arsenal, how the two centre-backs have been playing together for two years, they are doing an incredible job. You’ve got Gabriel as the more aggressive leader, and then, for example, Saliba is like a brother who plays clean. No, seriously, he deserves credit. You can tell he’s a silent leader.”
Real Madrid’s star forward Kylian Mbappé, a fellow Bondy native, also shares a personal connection with Saliba. Beyond their shared roots, Mbappé recently acknowledged Saliba’s outstanding season, which saw him finish runner-up in the 2023/24 France Football Player of the Year voting. Speaking about the result, Mbappé admitted, “We have to be fair. [Saliba] would have deserved it too.”
Saliba’s 2023/24 campaign was nothing short of exceptional. He played every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League season, leading their defence as the Gunners pushed City to the wire in the title race.
On the international stage, Saliba was equally influential, playing every minute for Didier Deschamps’ France side at Euro 2024 and helping his nation keep four clean sheets en route to the semi-finals.
While Real Madrid’s pursuit is unrelenting, Saliba’s focus remains firmly on Arsenal, where he continues to thrive as a cornerstone of the team. The Gunners, for their part, have no intention of letting him go, understanding that players of his calibre and character are essential to their ambitions.
As Real Madrid press on, they may find Saliba’s loyalty to Arsenal to be as formidable as his defensive prowess on the pitch.