Real Madrid cleared to sign William Saliba from Arsenal, according to report

Since making his breakthrough into the Arsenal first team in 2022, Saliba has emerged as one of the top defenders in the Premier League. He played a crucial role in helping the Gunners secure a Premier League record by conceding just 29 goals last season, with Saliba showcasing his leadership and defensive prowess at the back.

The Frenchman's form hasn't gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid now keen on spending a lot of money to sign him.

Real Madrid desperate for Arsenal defender William Saliba

According to Spanish outlet Sport, Real Madrid have started working on bringing Saliba to the Bernabeu, having identified the Frenchman as the perfect centre-back to improve the team.

The report adds that Real Madrid have already contacted Saliba's representatives over a possible move, with the feedback positive. It will, however, require Saliba to hand in a transfer request at Arsenal in order to force through a move to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid are in desperate need of reinforcing their centre-backs. Eder Militao is currently out with a cruciate ligament injury, while David Alaba has missed a large part of the season, too. Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni have both played alongside Antonio Rudiger at centre-back, though the German has openly admitted he'd love Saliba to partner him.

“I say William Saliba,” Rudiger said when asked who Real Madrid should sign in October 2024. “I’m very happy Militao. But there’s so many games, so we would rotate, so to have Saliba… It would be great.”

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Still only 23-years-old and with two-and-a-half years remaining on his current Arsenal deal, Saliba certainly won't come cheap. A £100m-plus figure is touted by the report, which seems more realistic than the £66m he is valued at by Transfermarkt.

In FourFourTwo's opinion, it would be highly unlikely that Real Madrid would be able to sign Saliba in the January transfer window - not least because Arsenal simply wouldn't allow it. If they return in the summer with a lucrative offer, though, the Gunners might have no option but to accept.