Real Madrid are always looking to sign talented young players, and they reportedly have their eyes on a center back who recently signed with Arsenal.
Eder Militao has excelled whenever he’s been given an opportunity to start for Real Madrid this season, as the summer signing from FC Porto looks like a future star at the heart of Los Blancos’ defense. There are plenty of fans who feel Militao should receive more minutes over Raphael Varane, as Los Blancos do need to keep their eye on the future.
Currently, Real’s other center back options behind Sergio Ramos, Varane, and Militao are Nacho Fernandez (injured) and Jesus Vallejo on loan at Wolves. Vallejo doesn’t seem to have the same upside as Militao, so Real Madrid could have interest in signing another talented young defender in the summer of 2020.
According to a recent report from Defensa Central’s Aleix Genero, Real are monitoring three French center backs as future signings. One of those center backs is actually signed to Arsenal but on loan for one more year at St. Etienne.
William Saliba could very well be Arsenal’s best center back in 2020-2021, but, for now, the teenager is busy impressing in Ligue 1 at St. Etienne. He had a sensational 2018-2019 campaign and has been solid this season when healthy, and he looks exactly like the caliber of player who could blossom into a future starter at Real.
In fact, the report from Defensa Central remarks that Saliba has been compared to Raphael Varane by many. While the comparisons are lofty and may be ill-fitting in terms of their playing styles, it speaks volumes to how highly Saliba is regarded.
But since Arsenal recently purchased Saliba and have yet to see him in action due to this loan extension arrangement with St. Etienne, it is doubtful they’d be willing to make a deal with Real so soon. After all, the Gunners desperately need help on defense, specifically young help. Most of their center backs are on the older side and do not have the future upside of Saliba.
Still, for the right price Real Madrid could get their hands on one of the world’s most promising young center backs. They already have one talented player in Militao, so Saliba is certainly worth monitoring. He is far from the only young center back on Real’s radar, though, and it will be exciting to see who Zinedine Zidane identifies as his top option in Ligue 1, which is filled with future stars.