Real Madrid view the signing of William Saliba as an ‘absolute priority’ this summer – but Arsenal have made a huge demand in response to the transfer speculation.
Saliba has emerged as one of the best defenders in the Premier League over the past three seasons, barely missing a game for an Arsenal team involved in three successive title challenges.
Arsenal boasted the best defensive record in the English top-flight last season – conceding just 29 goals in 38 league games – and much of that was due to the impressive centre-back partnership of Saliba and Gabriel.
Saliba’s development into a world-class defender comes after an intriguingly slow start to his Arsenal career in which he spent three seasons out on loan after being signed for £27m.
The 23-year-old’s form in north London has led to international recognition for France – he has earned 26 caps since 2022 – and speculation linking him with arguably the biggest club in the world.
Real Madrid have long been linked with a move for Saliba and RMC Sport claim the La Liga giants are not only targeting a summer deal but have made the Frenchman an ‘absolute priority’.
But Arsenal are not expecting to lose Saliba, who they reportedly consider ‘the best centre-back in the world’, and would demand a staggeringly huge price for any potential transfer.
Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire are the two most-expensive defenders in history at just under £80m but Arsenal will demand an even greater fee for Saliba.
Saliba has hardly put a foot wrong for title-chasing Arsenal but struggled to contain Alexander Isak during the Gunners’ Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Newcastle United.
‘Gabriel and William Saliba could not deal with Alexander Isak at all – he had them rattled,’ former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara told Grosvenor Sport.
Arsenal were all over the place. That is the first time I’ve ever seen them like that and they’re probably the best defensive partnership in the world now, which just shows how good Isak is.’
Speaking after reaching yet another Carabao Cup final following their 2023 defeat to Manchester United, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed his team targeted Saliba and Gabriel.
