Arsenal defender William Saliba has been selected for Real Madrid (Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arsenal is building a team that can challenge in all respects, but could lose one of the most important players in the next 12 months, with Real Madrid continuing to sniff around William Saliba.
Saliba was not the absolute best in the 2024-25 campaign, but is widely considered to be one of the best central defenders in football in the world. Arsenal hopes he will bounce back next season.
However, this plan could be hampered by Real Madrid, who has planned an approach that has been very effective in recent years.
Real Madrid hopes to sign William Saliba in 2026
Saliba finished his contract in 2027 and Arsenal is confident he will soon agree to the terms, but there is some uncertainty about his future in North London. And Real Madrid reports that Diario (via Football Espania) is reporting that he is very interested in the Laliga giants signing the 24-year-old.
Real Madrid hopes that Saliba will not sign a new contract with Arsenal, and if they don’t do so before next summer, their intention is to have him sign a cut price deal.
Even if Konate joins Real Madrid, it won’t end his interest in Saliba. The ideal situation for a 15-time Champions League winner is that both players are at the club in 2026 or 2027, along with the recently signed Dean Huizen.
Losing Saliba is undoubtedly a big blow to Arsenal. Arsenal will be desperate to secure a new contract with the defender as soon as possible. If so, Real Madrid’s interest will certainly evaporate.
