Real Madrid receive positive response from Arsenal star over interest | OneFootball

Real Madrid have two of their top three central defenders in their thirties, and the third out for the season with a second cruciate ligament injury in the last two years. Although local media say that it is not a priority position for next summer, Los Blancos are perusing the market for potential options.

One of the players they like is Arsenal defender William Saliba. The French international has become a rock at the back for Mikel Arteta, and Sport say that he has not only passed all of their filters for a top signing, but have also received a positive response from his camp regarding a potential move. Saliba has a deal until 2027, and the Catalan paper explain that he will ask for a transfer if Los Blancos present a huge offer, somewhere in the region of €100m or more. Arsenal, for their part, are not interested in a sale.

The Gunners will have to consider their options in the next six months though. If they cannot get a new contract signed with Saliba in the next year, they risk losing him at a reduced price, or even Saliba running down his contract. If they do not feel a deal can be done with him, a sale this summer would make sense, although as Los Blancos have shown of late, they generally prefer players to run down their deals before making a deal.