Real Madrid Reportedly Eye Arsenal Star William Saliba

Real Madrid is reportedly targeting Arsenal defender William Saliba amid their defensive crisis. With several key players sidelined, including Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, and David Alaba, the Spanish giants are exploring options to strengthen their backline and maintain their competitiveness in La Liga and the Champions League.

Real Madrid’s Defensive Struggles

Carlo Ancelotti’s side faces mounting challenges this season, primarily due to their depleted defense. Injuries to three of their main defenders have left Real Madrid vulnerable. While they are just four points behind Barcelona in La Liga with a game in hand, their European campaign has been underwhelming. They’ve already lost two Champions League games and sit 18th in the table, potentially missing out on automatic qualification for the knockout stages.

To address this, Real Madrid has reportedly set their sights on Saliba, with French outlet Le10Sport suggesting a possible January move for the Arsenal star. Saliba, who earns £190,000 per week, has emerged as a prime target for the Galacticos.

Arsenal’s Stance on Saliba’s Future

Despite the speculation, sources close to Arsenal have dismissed the likelihood of the club parting ways with Saliba. Since forming a formidable defensive partnership with Gabriel Magalhães in the 2022/2023 season, Saliba has become a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s side.

While reports like those from TEAMtalk suggest Arsenal might consider an extraordinary offer—potentially exceeding £100 million—the consensus remains that the club is unwilling to entertain such a deal.

Insight from Former Man United Chief

Mick Brown, a former chief scout at Manchester United, recently weighed in on Saliba’s future. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown emphasized Arsenal’s determination to keep the French defender:

“It’s difficult to shut the door on things like that. But a lot of it will depend on whether he actually wants to go or not.”

Brown highlighted the importance of a strong defense, adding:

“From what I’ve heard, they’re not going to let Saliba go under any circumstances. He’s very much a part of Arteta’s plans and one of his most important players. They would do anything in their power to keep him, because having to find a replacement for him would set them back two years.”

A Premier League Bargain

Signed from Saint-Étienne in 2019 for just £27 million, Saliba has been one of Arsenal’s most astute acquisitions under former sporting director Edu. If his stellar form continues, Saliba could solidify his reputation as one of the Premier League’s best bargain signings, further emphasizing why Arsenal remains steadfast in retaining him.

For now, while Real Madrid’s interest signals Saliba’s rising profile, Arsenal seems intent on building their future around him, making his departure highly unlikely.