Real Madrid make first approach to sign £27m Arsenal star
William Saliba is top of Real Madrid’s defensive shortlist for the summer transfer window (Getty) Real Madrid have made Arsenal centre-back William Saliba their primary defensive target for the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain. Saliba has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League since his £27 million move from Saint-Etienne in 2019. Madrid, meanwhile, are poised to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer from Liverpool this summer, but the Champions League holders are also looking to further bolster their defensive options for next season. According to Radio Marca, Saliba is Madrid’s ‘chosen one’ for the summer window and the club’s president, Florentino Perez, is ‘willing to roll up his sleeves’ in order to get a deal done. The report claims that both Arsenal and Saliba are fully aware of Madrid’s interest and a ‘discreet’ approach has already been made. Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Madrid’s two back-up options if they fail to sign Saliba are Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who has a £50m release clause, and Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji. Florentino Perez is ready to drive Real Madrid’s move to sign William Saliba (Getty) In an interview with Telefoot over the weekend, Saliba spoke about his development under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. ‘To be where I am today, a starter in the French national team, and to also play for one of the best clubs in the world like Arsenal, I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better,’ he said. ‘I’m not afraid of attackers, but in reality, when you come up against a great striker, you’re more focused. You’re already thinking about it the day before, saying to yourself, ‘I’m going to play against him, I can’t make a mistake’. But fear is a big word.’ However, Saliba dismissed suggestions that he should be considered the world’s best defender. ‘Not the best no,’ Saliba said. ‘One of the best defenders, yes, I think. I still have to do much, much better to one day, I hope, become the best.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Real Madrid have made Arsenal centre-back William Saliba their primary defensive target for the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
Saliba has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League since his £27 million move from Saint-Etienne in 2019.
Madrid, meanwhile, are poised to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer from Liverpool this summer, but the Champions League holders are also looking to further bolster their defensive options for next season.
According to Radio Marca, Saliba is Madrid’s ‘chosen one’ for the summer window and the club’s president, Florentino Perez, is ‘willing to roll up his sleeves’ in order to get a deal done.
The report claims that both Arsenal and Saliba are fully aware of Madrid’s interest and a ‘discreet’ approach has already been made.
Get personalised updates on Arsenal everyday
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we’ll send you so we can get football news tailored to you.
Madrid’s two back-up options if they fail to sign Saliba are Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, who has a £50m release clause, and Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji.
In an interview with Telefoot over the weekend, Saliba spoke about his development under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
‘To be where I am today, a starter in the French national team, and to also play for one of the best clubs in the world like Arsenal, I couldn’t have dreamed of anything better,’ he said.
‘I’m not afraid of attackers, but in reality, when you come up against a great striker, you’re more focused. You’re already thinking about it the day before, saying to yourself, ‘I’m going to play against him, I can’t make a mistake’. But fear is a big word.’
However, Saliba dismissed suggestions that he should be considered the world’s best defender.
‘Not the best no,’ Saliba said.
‘One of the best defenders, yes, I think. I still have to do much, much better to one day, I hope, become the best.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
