According to recent reports, Real Madrid have made Arsenal star William Saliba their main target for next summer.
With Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba entering the penultimate year of their contracts and Alaba sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, the club is actively looking at potential options to strengthen its line back.
Additionally, young academy center back Joan Martinez is also out for an extended period due to a similar injury, further highlighting the need for defensive reinforcements.
Among the sought-after defenders, Saliba has emerged as one of the top candidates for Real Madrid, with reports claiming that the The La Liga giants have already made contact with his entourage.
Despite growing speculation surrounding a possible transfer, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has clarified that there has been no direct contact between Real Madrid and Saliba’s representatives.
Romano said in his CaughtOffside Daily Briefing Column that Saliba remains fully committed to Arsenal and that the north London club sees the Frenchman as the cornerstone of their future.
The Italian journalist writes:
“A story that keeps coming up at the moment is that of William Saliba and a possible departure from Arsenal. In recent weeks we have heard several times about Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but I can honestly say that I have no confirmation of any of this, including the claim that Real Madrid contacted Saliba’s entourage.
“I’m not aware of anything concrete at this stage – all I know is that Saliba is entirely focused on Arsenal, while Arsenal obviously also see Saliba as a key part of their project, nothing other.”
“Real Madrid have been exploring the market for central defenders since the Leny Yoro affair last summer, as they failed to sign with Manchester United, but for the moment that’s it; nothing else in these Saliba stories and I can guarantee that he is now 100% focused on Arsenal.
In July 2023, Saliba signed a long-term contract extension with Arsenal, keeping him at the club until 2028. His influence at the Gunners only grew, as he became the club’s first outfield player. The club’s history has played out every minute of a Prime Minister. Championship season in the 2023-24 campaign.
