- Arsenal defender William Saliba has been heavily rumored to be on his way to Real Madrid, as the Spanish club seeks to strengthen their defensive line this season.
- Arsenal intends to maintain its stance on William Saliba, regarding the French defender as a crucial component of their long-term plans.
- The transfer could see William Saliba become the most expensive defender ever, surpassing what Manchester United offered for Harry Maguire in 2019.
Spanish football powerhouse Real Madrid is reportedly gearing up to make a record-breaking bid for Arsenal defender William Saliba.
The Spanish club considers Saliba their top priority for strengthening their defense and are also weighing an offer that could make the French international the most expensive defender in history after England's Harry Maguire.
Real Madrid's Defensive Reinforcement: The Behind-the-Scenes Reason
Real Madrid has been struggling to counter persistent center-back injuries throughout recent campaigns, seriously compromising their defensive resilience.
Real Madrid's Eder Militão has sustained his second ACL injury of consecutive seasons. Meanwhile, David Alaba's fresh setback, following a year out due to a knee problem, has weakened the team further. In response to the crisis, manager Carlo Ancelotti has referred to it as a "defensive emergency," prompting the club to seek additional players to maintain their competitive edge across all areas.
There has been no official statement from Arsenal regarding William Saliba's potential move to Real Madrid.
Arsenal remains commitied to keeping Saliba, rejecting Real Madrid's interest. The club does not plan to sell the 23-year-old centre-back, who has a contract that will expire in 2027.
Premier League team Arsenal will only consider acquiring a new player if an offer exceeds the previously set £80 million record transfer fee for a defender, which Harry Maguire's move to Manchester United achieved.
Saliba has played a crucial role in Arsenal's defense, teaming up with Gabriel Magalhães to form a solid partnership and contributing to the team's recent achievements. The club and Saliba are also committed to continuing their progress together.
Saliba's performance at Arsenal
William Saliba has become a key player in Arsenal's defense since being introduced to the first team.
For the 2022-2023 season, Saliba played a crucial part in Arsenal's defense until a back injury in March 2023, forcing him to miss the remainder of the campaign. His absence proved to be a significant setback, as Arsenal's defensive standings weakened, affecting their chances of winning the title in the final stages of the season.
During the 2023-24 season, Saliba achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first outfield player for Arsenal in the Premier League era since 1989-90 to appear in every match minute of the league campaign. His consistency and defensive prowess notably played a crucial role in Arsenal ending the season with the Premier League's top defensive record, as reported by the Arsenal FC website.
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Earlier reported on Saliba's unusual goal when Arsenal thrashed Manchester United two-nil at Emirates Stadium.
Saliba's goal caused a stir online as the French defender accidentally kicked the ball into the net with his buttocks.