Real Madrid top target unlikely to arrive in the summer as club chase new defender | OneFootball

Despite Real Madrid being in the race for all three trophies at this point in the season, it is safe to say that the campaign has been disappointing in terms of the overall performance of the team.

As such, squad-planning for the summer is already underway as Los Blancos look to improve the depth and balance in the roster before the next season begins.

A new right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is very much likely to arrive and the Spanish capital club are looking at other positions as well.

New centre-back on the agenda, Saliba the most preferred option

Indeed, according to The Athletic’s Mario Cortegana, Real Madrid also intend to sign a new central defender in the summer transfer window.

With concerns over the number of goals that the team has conceded this season and the fact that David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger are not getting any younger, Los Blancos believe a new centre-back is a necessity.

While there have been plenty of links to Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, as per the report, the most preferred option for Real Madrid happens to be Arsenal’s William Saliba.

Saliba remains a top target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The Merengues have been keeping tabs on the Frenchman since he came through the ranks at Saint-Etienne at which point they even considered signing him.

However, Saliba signed for Arsenal in 2019 but despite that Real Madrid have maintained a positive relationship with his entourage and remain very interested in acquiring his service.

Move unlikely

But, the report states that it is highly unlikely that Real Madrid will be able to sign Saliba in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old defender has a contract with Arsenal until 2027 and the Gunners are working to renew his deal further to stave off interest. As such, Real Madrid will either be rejected or would have to shell out a huge transfer fee – making a transfer unlikely.

Hence, Real Madrid are discreetly working behind the scenes to try and sign Saliba for a lower fee in 2026 or for free in 2027, provided he does not renew his contract.

For now, the Arsenal ace remains the most preferred option but he is unlikely to make the switch to Santiago Bernabeu this year.