Arsenal face battle to keep William Saliba with Real Madrid waiting to pounce

Real Madrid are desperate to sign William Saliba, and they're willing to wait until the optimal moment to pounce.

Madrid's interest in Saliba is no secret, and a rejuvenation of the club's centre-back personnel is expected. Antonio Rudiger is on the wrong side of 30, David Alaba is not the star he once was, and Eder Militao has suffered back-to-back ACL tears.

Saliba is regarded as the club's priority target, but it'd take a mammoth offer from the Spanish behemoths to prise him away from Arsenal this summer. The Gunners won't be willing to part ways with one of Europe's premier centre-backs as they aim to win the most lucrative honours with Mikel Arteta at the helm, but the player himself could force their hand.

L'Equipe report ahead of the second leg of Arsenal's Champions League semi-final against PSG that Saliba has been in talks with Madrid for 'weeks' over a potential transfer, with the defender open to a move to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid could pounce on William Saliba's contract situation at Arsenal

Saliba has asserted his desire to win major honours with Arsenal time and time again. There's nowhere else he'd rather be. However, minds are easily changed when Real Madrid come calling, as exemplified by Trent Alexander-Arnold jumping ship after helping boyhood club Liverpool to their second Premier League title.

There are some fears that Madrid could repeat the trick with Saliba, whose contract in north London expires in 2027. Fabrizio Romano (via DeadlineDayLive on X) understands that Florentino Perez will make his move for the French centre-back at the best possible moment. Madrid are likely to test the waters this summer, but they won't be discouraged until Saliba extends his current deal with the Gunners.

L'Equipe's report suggests that Saliba may need more assurances over Arteta's project before putting pen to paper. I'm sure a generous salary increase would help, too.

The boss was asked about the defender's future before Saturday's defeat to Bournemouth, and he doesn't seem all that worried about Saliba potentially leaving the club: “I'm certain [that he won't leave Arsenal], because I had the conversation with Saliba, is that he is so happy here.

“He wants to continue with us. I'm quite confident that William is very happy here and that's the place that he wants to be”.

Am I reassured? I don't know. Madrid scare me.

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