Real Madrid are ready to table a €100 million offer to sign William Saliba and test Arsenal’s resolve ahead of the summer window.
According to Fichajes, Real Madrid have identified William Saliba as their top defensive target and are ready to table a massive €100 million bid for the French defender. Such an offer is designed to test Arsenal’s resolve on the centre-back, although the chase would be complicated as the Gunners are keen to keep hold of the 24-year-old mainstay.
Real Madrid have many problems at the back, with suggestions that Florentino Perez is ready to refresh the backline with key additions in the summer. The Spanish giants are already close to signing Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer as their new right-back, with the club supremo now ready to focus his attention on the central defensive positions.
Real Madrid have been linked to some high-profile names from the Premier League such as Cristian Romero and Dean Huijsen. Some reports stated they are about to abandon the chase for the latter as he reportedly prefers to join another team in England with Chelsea and Liverpool in the hunt.
Romero might stay on their list of potential targets, but it appears Real Madrid will push to sign William Saliba as a preference. The Arsenal star was on show in the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid and has further impressed Perez with his performances.
Real Madrid were expected to go all out for Saliba, and now the report states they are willing to table a €100 million offer to test the Gunners’ resolve. Such a bid would certainly make the 24-year-old Arsenal mainstay the most expensive defender of all time while giving the North Londoners something to think about as the French defender enters the final two years of his deal at the Emirates.
Arsenal are unlikely to consider William Saliba approaches
Arsenal are either lining up talks with Saliba over a new contract or those have already begun in the background. New sporting director Andrea Berta is determined to renew deals for Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes on priority, as Mikel Arteta will not want to lose the Frenchman at such a crucial stage of the club’s project.
Saliba is leaning towards staying at Arsenal, which could see him snub an approach from Real Madrid. Should the Spanish giants come in with the reported €100 million offer as the report states, the Gunners are unlikely to be moved by it, as they have deemed Saliba untouchable ahead of the summer transfer window.