Football
Real Madrid Make Arsenal Defender William Saliba Their ‘Top Priority’ Transfer For Next Summer
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished2 hours ago on October 09, 2024
Reigning Champions League winners Real Madrid have reportedly identified Arsenal defender William Saliba as their ‘top priority’ signing for the 2025 summer transfer window.
Real Madrid Make William Saliba Their ‘Top Priority’
Arsenal defender William Saliba is reportedly drawing major transfer interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side making the 23-year-old their ‘top priority’ signing for next summer.
This comes from French outlet Le 10 Sport, who claim that the record Champions League winners have already been in contact with Saliba’s entourage and are willing to pay ‘whatever price’ to convince the Gunners to part ways with their star centre-back.
🚨 Real Madrid have made William Saliba their ‘top priority’ signing next summer. The player’s entourage has already been contacted, with Real Madrid willing to pay ‘whatever price’ to convince Arsenal to sell. [@AlexisBernard10] pic.twitter.com/E9xJlQ0zQw
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) October 9, 2024
Saliba has grown to be one of the best central defenders on the planet in recent seasons and has been key in the Gunners challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title, so it comes as little surprise to see the likes of Real Madrid vying for his services.
Current Los Blancos centre-back Antonio Rudiger, who would possibly be replaced by Saliba if he completed a move to the Spanish capital, even said himself that he’d like to see his club sign the Frenchman from Arsenal.
A move for the Bondy-born Saint-Etienne academy graduate would surely come at a hefty cost for Madrid however, with his current contract at the Emirates running until the summer of 2027.
Arsenal’s asking price for Saliba has been quoted at more than £100 million in the past, which comes as no surprise given the transfer market’s current climate, which would secure the North Londoners a hefty profit on their initial £27 million investment.
Despite their interest in Saliba though, Real Madrid are expected to sign another centre-back in January, with the likes of Castello Lukeba, Jorrel Hato and Vitor Reis reportedly on their shortlist. The Spaniards had their sights set on Leny Yoro last summer but lost out on the youngster to Manchester United.