William Saliba will reportedly not force a move to Real Madrid despite strong interest from the La Liga giants. Madrid are determined to seal a blockbuster move for the Arsenal star either this summer or in 2026.
Saliba has become one of Europe’s best defenders. However, he is set to enter the final two years of his Arsenal contract this summer, alerting the continent’s biggest clubs of his potential availability. It is claimed that Los Blancos are the only team who could potentially lure the France international away from north London.
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Club president Florentino Perez is keen to land Saliba. Reports in Spain say that he will make the 24-year-old the ‘leader’ of Madrid’s defence for the years to come.
French publication L’Equipe report that Saliba will not force a move from Arsenal to Madrid, though. His representatives remain in talks with the Gunners hierarchy over a bumper contract extension.
The report adds that Arsenal must convince Saliba that it is possible to win trophies at the Emirates Stadium. New sporting director Andrea Berta will not consider selling Saliba to Madrid or any other club.
Madrid are expected to land Trent Alexander-Arnold in a stunning free transfer swoop in the summer. The England international is out of contract with Liverpool at the end of the season, but will depart as a Premier League champion.
Saliba is unlikely to join Alexander-Arnold in the Spanish capital, at least for this summer. Speaking last week, Mikel Arteta insisted that the centre-back is happy at Arsenal. The Spaniard said: "I leave those kind of things more for Andrea and the club to talk about.
"What I'm certain, because I had a conversation with him, that he's so happy here, that he wants to continue with us, and what will happen in the future. Obviously it's our negotiations and things that have to take time and process and be on top of them, but I'm quite confident that William is very happy here and that's the place that he wants to be."
Arsenal have missed out on the Premier League title again and a concerning dip in form means they are yet to officially confirm Champions League football for next season. A 1-0 home defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in their European semi-final last week gives Arteta’s side a major task ahead of the second leg in Paris on Wednesday.