William Saliba remains in Real Madrid’s sights despite Arsenal talks

It is tempting to wonder what was going through the minds of the Real Madrid representatives in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as rumoured transfer target William Saliba strove in vain to prevent Erling Haaland from giving Manchester City the lead against Arsenal after just nine minutes.

In truth, though, there was little the returning France international defender could have done to thwart what was a brilliant break from the visitors, and that inspired passage of play from City will have done nothing to alter Madrid’s interest in a player widely regarded among the world’s best in his position. 

It is no secret the Bernabéu club are likely to be in the market for a centre-back next summer, when Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba, respectively aged 32 and 33, are both expected to leave the Spanish capital following the expiry of their contracts.

Which other defenders have been linked with a move to Real Madrid?

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté has been tipped to fill the void, as have Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Marc Guéhi, the Crystal Palace captain. All three will be free to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January unless they can be persuaded to reaffirm their commitment to their respective clubs between now and then.

Unlike that trio, Saliba has almost two years to run on his existing deal, but it is understood the 24-year-old remains the preferred option in Madrid, with the prospect of paying a sizeable fee unlikely to deter the Spanish giants. Madrid activated Dean Huijsen’s £50m release clause at the end of last season to prise the defender from Bournemouth in time for the Club World Cup.

It is likely an even larger fee would be required to prise Saliba from the Emirates, where talks over a bumper new contract for the defender remain ongoing. Reports suggest Arsenal are prepared to make the Frenchman one of their biggest earners, with a £10.5m annual salary on the table.

Do Arsenal already have an able deputy for William Saliba?

It is unclear whether Madrid would be willing to match that figure although, were Saliba to reject Arsenal’s offer, the club would be faced with a difficult choice between selling him for a lower fee next summer or losing the defender on a free transfer a year later.

While either option would be unpalatable from the perspective of the club and its fans, the £13m signing of Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia this summer affords a measure of security, with the 21-year-old Spaniard emerging as an able deputy for Saliba during the Frenchman’s recent injury absence.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, has suggested that both Saliba and England attacker Bukayo Saka, whose contract also expires in 2027, are eager to remain at the club, with sporting director Andrea Berta making progress in discussions.

“The good thing is the players want to remain here and they want to be a big part of the history in this club over the next few years,” said Arteta. “Andrea will drive that and we will see where we go.”