Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are prepared to block Real Madrid’s pursuit of their defensive mainstay William Saliba.
Real Madrid have a star-studded squad but they don’t really tend to rest on their laurels and are constantly on the lookout for players who can further bolster their team. While they are well covered in the final third of the pitch, Los Blancos do need to address a few major issues in the heart of the defence.
The team in white needs to bring in a world-class centre-back on a priority basis and according to a report from RMC Sport, Carlo Ancelotti’s team are interested in the services of William Saliba. The French international is a top target for the Spanish giants ahead of next season. But, they are unlikely to win the race for his signature as Arsenal will try and block a move away from the club.
After coming up the ranks at Saint-Etienne and making a name for himself while playing for their first team, Saliba joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019. He was seen as an investment for the future and he ended up having quite a few loan spells away from the team.
He broke into the Gunners’ first team during the 2022/23 season and hasn’t looked back since. The French centre-back has established himself as one of the mainstays in Mikel Arteta’s team and they consider him a key part of their plans moving ahead.
Real Madrid are unlikely to win the race for Saliba
The 23-year-old’s sensational rise and his massive potential have put him on the radar of Real Madrid. While Los Blancos have been one of the most dominant forces in European football of late, they have struggled defensively over the last few seasons.
They lack depth at the back and injuries to key defenders have left them exposed at the back. As a result, they will prioritise signing a new central defender next summer and Saliba is at the top of their wishlist. While the team in white are ready to break the bank for his signature, they are unlikely to succeed in their pursuit.
Arsenal see him as one of the best defenders in the world and he is considered an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s plans, as a result, they won’t let him leave the club.
They will demand a humongous fee in an attempt to put off the Madrid-based outfit and if he does end up leaving, he will end up being the most expensive defender in history. With a contract running until the summer of 2027, the Gunners are well in control of the situation at this stage.
