Arsenal defender William Saliba has been identified as an ‘absolute priority’ for Real Madrid in the following transfer window, in response to reports in France.
The 23-year-old had a slow begin to life as an Arsenal player, signing for the club in 2019 but then heading out on a trio of loan spells.
After returning to former club Saint-Etienne after which moving to Nice and Marseille on short-term deals, the centre-back finally got the possibility to shine with the Gunners within the 2022/23 season.
Since then he has been thoroughly impressive, a fixture in the center of Arsenal’s defence and quickly developing into probably the greatest centre-backs within the Premier League.
The France international has made 116 appearances for Arsenal, scoring seven goals in the method.
His performances under Mikel Arteta, and in 26 caps for France, have caught the attention of a club even larger than Arsenal and Real Madrid are plotting a move in the summertime.
French publication RMC Sport report that Saliba has been ‘identified as an absolute priority’ by the Spanish giants as they plan to strengthen their defence this yr.
While that might be a worry for Gunners fans, in higher news the report states that Arsenal don’t expect to lose Saliba.
An infinite price tag might be placed on the Frenchman and if Real Madrid wish to sign him they’ll must make him the most costly defender in history.
Harry Maguire still holds that tag after his £80m move from Leicester to Manchester United and Arsenal wouldn’t consider letting Saliba going for lower than that quantity.
Nevertheless, his contract on the Emirates runs until 2027, so Arsenal’s window of opportunity for charging that big amount may close sooner moderately than later.
The report from France also states that Real Madrid were also very keen on attempting to tempt Erling Haaland from Manchester City.
The striker’s lengthy recent contract with the Premier League champions has made that focus on much less likely, though, and their interest has moved elsewhere.
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