If you ask Arsenal fans who is most important at the club, it will probably split into two equal parts. Captain Martin Ødegaard and French centre-back William Saliba.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery is expected to fight hard to keep William Saliba, but it could be difficult as Real Madrid are working on a bid that will make the 23-year-old the most expensive defender of all time.
Real Madrid have made William Saliba their priority defensive target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Centre-back injuries have been a big problem for Real Madrid in recent seasons. Eder Militao has suffered his second ACL injury in as many seasons, while David Alaba’s return to the sidelines after missing over a full year with his own knee problem prompted manager Carlo Ancelotti to declare that his side were facing an “emergency”.
With the impending summer exit of Jesus Vallejo, they only have three senior centre-backs. RMC Sport reports that Real Madrid are pulling out all the stops to sign William Saliba.
Saliba, who has been described as the “absolute priority in defence”, has been linked with both Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in the past, but Arsenal have never wanted his exit and are expected to stand firm again.
The Gunners are expected to warn Madrid that it will take an astronomical offer for them to consider parting ways with Saliba, whose exit from the Emirates Stadium is only likely to be authorised if Madrid are prepared to make him the most expensive defender in history.
Harry Maguire’s €87 million transfer to Manchester United in 2019 remains the record for a defender, and Saliba, whose contract runs until 2027, will cost more, much more. William Saliba is likely to join an exclusive club of players sold for over €100 million upon a move to Real Madrid.
Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger has described Saliba as one of the best defenders in the world, and said it would be fantastic to play with the Frenchman in the near future.
