Real Madrid have been credited with interest in Arsenal’s William Saliba over the past year or so.
Friday’s edition of AS explains why Real Madrid weren’t able to sign the centre-back in the summer window and also reports he’s still on their transfer agenda.
Real Madrid had identified the Arsenal star as an option to strengthen their defence, before betting on Dean Huijsen.
The latter had a €58m release clause in his contract at Bournemouth. Saliba would have been more expensive than Huijsen.
Xabi Alonso currently has five centre-backs, of which Huijsen and Raúl Asencio are assured of a future at the club, but not the other three. Éder Militão has struggled with injuries while David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger could leave when their contracts expire in 2026.
Therefore, Real Madrid are looking to strengthen the centre-back position next summer and two names ‘stand out’. Those are the Arsenal player and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté, of which Saliba is the ‘more popular’ one.
Saliba’s contract expires in 2027 and earlier this month, Foot Mercato reported the north London club have presented their first renewal offer.
AS relay claims made elsewhere about Arsenal trying to renew the defender’s contract as they are aware of Real Madrid’s interest.
If he were to sign an extension, then ‘it’s over’ for Real Madrid, and if not, they would be in a better position to negotiate with Mikel Arteta’s side next summer, when Saliba will have a year left on his contract.
AS report that’s ‘Real Madrid’s trump card’, and it can only be used if the Frenchman were to refuse a renewal at the Emirates.
