Over the last few summers, we have seen Real Madrid master the art of the free transfer. The club has signed a number of top-class, key players as free agents, leading to much success. From David Alaba to Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, and most recently Trent Alexander-Arnold, Los Blancos have been putting on a clinic on how to sign some of the best players in the world.
Real Madrid's most recent free agent target is Liverpool center back Ibrahima Konaté. The Frenchman is out of contract next summer and recent reports suggest he is more likely than not on his way to the Bernabeu. However, there is another center back who will be a free agent next summer that Real Madrid also dreams of signing.
That center-back is French international William Saliba. The Arsenal cornerstone has been a long standing target of Los Blancos and with his contract expiring in the summer and having yet to sign an extension, Real Madrid are keeping their eyes on his situation should be become available as a free agent.
Obviously Real are hoping he runs his contract down and leaves Arsenal as a free agent, however, Mikel Arteta's club may have put a damper on Real's massive summer 2026 plans.
Mikel Arteta just threw a spanner in Real Madrid's perfect transfer plan
As reported by GOAL.com, Arsenal are set to open contract talks with center back William Saliba to help ward off any interest from Real Madrid, who have their eyes on the Frenchman as a free agent next summer.
The report suggests that no agreement has yet been reached between Arsenal and Saliba, but the Premier League side hopes to secure his signature for the long term.
For those who watch Arsenal, Saliba is no doubt a key figure in their backline and has all the characteristics to be Arsenal captain one day. However, should he leave, Mikel Arteta's side isn't lacking at center back depth, having just brought in Bayer Leverkusen center back and one-time Real Madrid target Piero Hincapié this summer.
So while, yes, Arsenal may be able to afford letting Saliba leave, their preference would no doubt be to keep him and push away any interest from other top European clubs.
While at the moment, Saliba to Real Madrid may seem like somewhat of a stretch, many said the same about Alexander-Arnold at this time last year and we all know how that ended up playing out in Real Madrid's favor.