Real Madrid have gotten into the habit of lurking in the reeds of someone they really want to close to expiring on their contracts. The strategy is clear: by expressing his interest, the star in question becomes a little more reluctant to sign a new contract. Now the Spanish giants want to sign a Premier League star when his contract expires.
Real Madrid are in other words chasing their next big free transfer as they get closer to a spectacular signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold. – It will happen at the beginning of July, unless they agree an earlier exit, for a fee of course, to make it to the Club World Cup which starts in mid-June.
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Real’s strategy of signing the world’s best players without transfer fees has had several successes, we mention Kylian Mbappé, David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger.
Next target: William Saliba
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid are “very interested” in William Saliba and are “keeping an eye” on the French defender. The club hopes to secure the Arsenal defender on a free transfer when his contract expires in 2027. Rüdiger has already given his support to the hunt for his teammate from the national team.
Real will consider the possibilities in 2026 before going in for a free transfer the following year. A deal as early as this summer is considered unlikely. However, Arsenal want to tie Saliba to a new long-term deal. – Free is great for a player worth 80 million euros.
Impressed by Saliba’s qualities
Real Madrid got to experience Saliba’s qualities up close as they suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League. The 24-year-old Frenchman has established himself as one of the world’s very best centre-backs after outstanding Premier League performances.
Saliba signed for Arsenal for £27 million in 2019, but was loaned out to Saint-Étienne, Nice and Marseille before establishing himself in London. Since his return, he has played 94 games in England’s top division and become a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s team.
Other defensive talents on Real’s radar
Saliba is not the only defender Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on. The club is also considering:
- Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth)
- Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig)
- Jorrel Hato (Ajax)
With Alexander-Arnold soon in place and Saliba as a long-term target, Real Madrid are showing that they still dominate the transfer market – both with and without big transfer fees.
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