Real Madrid wants to sign a new central defender this summer, and they have now established themselves on their leading target and he is someone who considered many to be one of the best center backs in the world.
It has been a very disappointing season for Real Madrid, and a considerable part of their struggles have come from defensive problems. Eder Militao and David Alaba have both missed more than half of the campaign, while Antonio Rudiger has not been at his best because he has managed knee discomfort – who was finally sorted this week while he underwent surgery.
Raul Asencio is a radiant light in the position, but he and Militao are the only central defenders who have Real Madrid younger than 32 years old. As such there is a wish that a signing will be made this summer, and although Dean Huijsen has been strongly connected in recent months, he is not their preference.
According to Marca, Real Madrid has decided that William Saliba is the chosen center-back that they want to focus this summer. Club officials appreciate the Arsenal man very high, and they believe that his arrival could come in a similar way if Jude Bellingham in 2023.
Saliba has had a few shaky weeks with mistakes that lead to goals against Real Madrid and Crystal Palace, but in general he has acted as one of the best central defenders in the world for the past 2/3 years. And in the eyes of Los Blancos, he is the perfect player who will lead their backline next season, when a new manager is expected to replace Brazil-bound Carlo Ancelotti.
It will be far from easy for Real Madrid to sign Saliba, which is under contract with Arsenal until 2027. The Premier League side will probably demand more than € 100 million, but they can sell a deal bank roles by selling Rodrygo.