Real Madrid in talks with Arsenal centre-back William Saliba | OneFootball

Real Madrid are in talks with William Saliba’s (24) entourage for weeks over a transfer, L’Equipe understands. The Arsenal centre-back remains tied with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners over a contract set to expire in 2027. The outlet is adamant Real Madrid will dip into the centre-backs market this summer to right the wrongs in their squad. Saliba is among Real Madrid’s “concrete” priority signings. Los Merengues have been closely following the progress of the Saint-Etienne youth product for several seasons now, and the club have already contacted Saliba’s entourage in the past weeks.

Word on the street is that Real Madrid will test the waters and genuinely try their luck at signing Saliba in the coming months and until summer 2026, when Saliba will enter the final year of his current contract at Arsenal. Real Madrid would lure Saliba by promising him the role of defense leader for the long term. L’Equipe understands that Real Madrid are the only football club that would appeal to the France international centre-back, who he perceives as the highest peak attainable.

The outlet adds that Saliba has no intention to force his move away from Arsenal. The Premier League club reportedly offered him a contract renewal. But Arsenal need to convince Saliba that it is possible to win titles and silverware at the Emirates Stadium when the France international enters his peak years. Arsenal have made it clear they won’t part ways with the 25-year-old.

The Gunners have even refused to set a price tag on his services, but can they risk letting Saliba enter his final contract year in 2026? The outlet adds that Real Madrid could play the waiting game until 2027 and sign Saliba as a free agent – like they did with David Alaba and Kylian Mbappé – if they can’t find an agreement with Arsenal over what is expected to be a +100m transfer.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval