According to Spanish media, Real Madrid have received a significant boost in their pursuit of Arsenal centre-back William Saliba, but it is still a challenge for Los Blancos.
One of the areas Madrid wants to strengthen in the summer transfer window is defence. With manager Carlo Ancelotti unable to rely on Eder Militão and David Alaba due to injury problems, and Antonio Rüdiger being 32 years old, Madrid have singled out Arsenal star Saliba as a top target.
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Saliba is Florentino Pérez’s “chosen one” in defence, and Marca reported this week that the Madrid president is “willing to roll up his sleeves” to make concrete progress in his pursuit of the 24-year-old centre-back.
Now, Madrid have received a major boost in their bid to sign Saliba, with a report from Spain claiming that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is “willing to part” with the defender.
According to Defensa Central, Arsenal are aware of Madrid’s interest in Saliba.
The France international himself “would be delighted to be part of the Madrid project”, according to the report. Saliba has always admired Madrid and also has his French compatriots, such as Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga, at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Arsenal want Tchouaméni in return
Arteta wants Arsenal to sign Aurélien Tchouaméni from Madrid in a swap involving Saliba. Tchouaméni has played for Real Madrid since 2022 and won both La Liga and the Champions League with Los Blancos last season.
Described as “an exceptional talent” and a “fantastic player” who “creates magic out of nothing” by Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand on BBC Sport in December 2022, Tchouaméni has shown his versatility this season by playing as a centre-back despite being essentially a defensive midfielder.
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Tchouaméni’s stance on Arsenal transfer – according to report
According to Defensa Central, Tchouaméni does not want to leave Madrid for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
The 25-year-old midfielder is said to be “happy” at the Santiago Bernabéu and believes he still has a lot to contribute for the Spanish and European giants.
Madrid themselves are not willing to sell Tchouaméni, but Arsenal are not giving up on bringing him to the Emirates Stadium.
The report reveals that Arsenal “will not give up easily and will do everything possible to get the French midfielder” into their project.
It may depend on how desperate Madrid are to sign Saliba from Arsenal this summer, and whether they think they can do without Tchouaméni.
It’s worth noting that Defensa Central is a Real Madrid-friendly news source, so both Arsenal fans and Madrid fans should take this report on a possible Saliba-Tchouaméni swap with a grain of salt.
