Arsenal braced for Real Madrid move for key player: report
One of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta's key performers is wanted as Real Madrid's next Galactico
Arsenal saw off local rivals Tottenham 1-0 in Sunday’s north London derby as Mikel Arteta’s side got back to winning ways following the draw against Brighton before the international break.
Much of last season’s success, as the Gunners took the title race to the final day of the Premier League season, was built upon the team’s strength at the back and after three clean sheets in four games already this term, the Arteta’s defence again appears up for the challenge.
It should come as little surprise, therefore, that one of the key figures in Arsenal’s back line is attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest teams.
William Saliba has developed into one of the game’s best centre-backs since establishing himself in the Gunners’ first-team and according to TBRFootball, he had scouts from both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid watching him in action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
The report claims that the French side have keeping ‘close tabs’ on Saliba as they eye up a future move for the 24-year-old, while the La Liga and European champions dispatched scout Juni Calafat to London for a closer look at the France international.
The GENIUS Way Arsenal Just Beat Tottenham Without Their Midfield
Salbia’s defensive partner Gabriel Magalhaes is also said to be of interest from PSG, with the Gunners said to be keen on extending the 26-year-old’s contract beyond its current 2027 expiry date.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
The Brazilian joined Arsenal in 2020 shortly after the club won the FA Cup, while Saliba signed a season earlier – though the latter went on loan before becoming a first-teamer in 2022.
In FourFourTwo’s opinion, Arsenal will understand that interest in their best players comes with the tuft when you’re talking about players of Saliba’s quality, with the player valued at €80million by Transfermarkt.
At 24, he can be a key figure for the club for years to come and the Emirates hierarchy will no doubt have plans to extend his deal, which also runs out in 2027, should they need to ward off a European big hitter.
More Arsenal stories
Arsenal ready to move for A-list forward on bargain deal next summer: report
Champions League power ranking: The odds for Europe, as Premier League heavyweights look to dethrone Real Madrid
Ranked! The 20 best cult Champions League sides ever
For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.
‘After Manchester City’s recent form, maybe they’re the underdogs against Manchester United!’ Former Red Devils defender on this weekend’s derby
‘Arteta, Alonso, Emery, me… none of us were physical players – we needed the understanding of the game. That probably helped us move into management’: Premier League boss reveals reasons for natural career progression