Premier League heavyweights Arsenal have reportedly told Real Madrid that they will not entertain any bids to sell their 23-year-old defensive mainstay, William Saliba.
According to a report by Football Transfers, William Saliba is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions view the Arsenal defensive mainstay as a long-term solution at the heart of their backline. However, the Gunners have told Los Blancos that they will not entertain bids for the 23-year-old anytime soon.
The rise and rise of William Saliba
William Saliba has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world since becoming a mainstay at the back for Arsenal. The North London club beat intense competition to sign the Frenchman from Saint-Etienne in July 2019. However, he needed loan spells at three Ligue 1 clubs before establishing a foothold in the first-team squad at Arsenal.
The 23-year-old has not looked back since making his first-team bow for Arsenal, going from strength to strength in the last couple of years. Saliba has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for the Gunners while chipping in with five goals and two assists.
In addition, the French defender’s exploits for Arsenal have helped him become a regular for Les Bleus in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, William Saliba’s progress at the Emirates has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Real Madrid.
Real Madrid interested in Saliba
Real Madrid’s interest in William Saliba is understandable. The reigning La Liga champions want to ensure a smooth transition from the current central defensive unit of Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, and David Alaba to one that has Militao and the Arsenal defender as the first-choice pairing at the heart of the defence.
With Rudiger and Alaba on the wrong side of 30, Saliba has emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid. However, Arsenal will not entertain bids to part ways with the 23-year-old Frenchman anytime soon. The Gunners have informed Real Madrid of their stance.
While the French international is reportedly open to a future move to Real Madrid, that will not happen in the 2025 summer transfer window unless the situation changes dramatically. So, Los Blancos must look elsewhere to bolster the backline next year.
