Real Madrid remains permanent admirers of Arsenal defender William Saliba and the Premier League club are confronted with an important few weeks and months that will determine their future in the middle
Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta has performed contract discussions with William Saliba in an attempt to avert Real Madrid's interest, it is said. The French Center-Back Saliba has long been the target for the Spanish giants, who prepare a busy summer after being inadequate in their Champions League defense.
Los Blancos is already ready to get Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, the Liverpool star has confirmed that he will leave his boy's club in the summer and describes the move as “the most difficult decision I have ever made in my life”.
A new center-back is also high on their list, with injury problems that leave them light on the back this period. Toni Rudiger and David Alaba no longer have a contract in 2026, while Eer Militao has missed months of action with a second ACL tear in the room of two seasons.
Saliba is not the only player on their radar, but he played his role when Arsenal Carlo Ancelotti's side beat the Champions League. He gave Madrid a goal in the second stage, but then the damage was caused and Arsenal progressed 5-1.
The current Saliba deal is in 2027 and L'Equipe reports that Real Madrid tried “to plant the seed” for a movement. Berta, however, would have responded by increasing efforts to convince the 24-year-old to get stuck.
Before contract discussions are concluded, Arsenal has the small issue of a semi-final second stage of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners lost the first stage with 1-0 in North London, with Ousmane Dembele the only goal of the game scored.
Dembele was initially an injury fear for the second stage in the Parc des Princes, but will be available to appear. Arsenal has also received its own injury boost, with Riccardo Calafiori available for the first time since he suffered an injury during the international break of March.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta does not doubt that his players will hear at the highest level. “100%, I think you should embrace and take the game like that, you know, to make something special,” he said reporters on Tuesday.
“As we said, to win the final of the Champions League, you have to do something exceptional during the tournament. We have done a lot of great things, but … In Paris the time is to do it against this team. And we will increase the level of this team and start making history. That is an opportunity for us to do it.”