Real Madrid will be happy to cough up €70 million to sign 22-year-old French international William Saliba from Arsenal.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, William Saliba is the subject of interest from Real Madrid. The Merengues are scouring the market for a centre-back due to Eder Militao’s long-term absence. And they are ready to shell out €70 million to sign the French international from Arsenal.
William Saliba has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League in the last 12 months. The 22-year-old had to bide his time after joining Arsenal from Saint-Etienne. He had three loan spells away from the Emirates, turning out for Saint-Etienne, OGC Nice, and Marseille.
But the French international has not looked back since the 2022/23 season after becoming a first-choice centre-back for Arsenal. Saliba has turned out 41 times thus far for Arsenal, chipping in with three goals and two assists. The youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among his prospective suitors.
Real Madrid considered poaching Arsenal for Saliba in the summer transfer window. But a move did not materialise as he snubbed Los Blancos to sign a new contract with Arsenal. However, the Frenchman remains on Real Madrid’s radar as they continue to scour the market for a centre-back.
Eder Militao is a long-term absentee due to a knee injury. In addition, David Alaba is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the final phase of his glittering career. Meanwhile, Antonio Rudiger, also in his thirties, has emerged as a target for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. So, it behoves Real Madrid to invest in a young central defender.
Saliba has thus emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid. And the Merengues are ready to cough up €70 million to sign the Arsenal mainstay in 2024. But the Gunners will unlikely entertain any offers for one of their best players.
The 22-year-old French international is one of the first names on the team sheet at the Emirates. So, it is hard to see how Real Madrid can succeed in prising him away from Arsenal in either the January or the summer transfer window.