Real Madrid make contact with Arsenal star's representatives | OneFootball

Real Madrid have made contact with the entourage of Arsenal defender William Saliba ahead of a potential transfer next summer, according to a report in France.

The towering centre-back has been an immovable defensive pillar for the Gunners since returning from his loan spell at Marseille in 2022. A season-ending back injury curtailed his first full campaign in 2022/23 - and prompted Arsenal's subsequent slide from the Premier League summit - but Saliba has missed just one of the club's last 59 top-flight games.

Boasting a unique blend of mental agility and physical prowess, Saliba is widely considered to be one of - if not the - best centre-backs in the world. That imperious profile has attracted interest from arguably the best club side on the planet.

Madrid have reached out to Saliba's representatives according to a report from Foot Mercato. Much to the frustration of Carlo Ancelotti, the reigning European champions are not expected to make any defensive reinforcements in January, with a potential move for Saliba something to discuss further in the summer.

William Saliba is a commanding presence at the back for Arsenal / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Whenever they arrive, there is no doubt that Madrid are in need of more defensive options.

Injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba have forced Ancelotti to awkwardly shoehorn defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni into a centre-back role alongside the impeccable Antonio Rudiger. The Frenchman has rarely looked comfortable in that position, leading to an unexpected glut of minutes for 21-year-old Raul Asencio this term.

it would take a hefty transfer fee to prise Saliba away from Arsenal, who have tied the 23-year-old down to a contract which extends until 2027. Madrid are also monitoring RB Leipzig's young centre-back Castello Lukeba, who would cost considerably less than his French compatriot, but doesn't boast the same guarantee of quality.