Over the last few years, Arsenal and Real Madrid have become familiar with each other in the transfer market. Not only have Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard represented both clubs, but the two sides have both shared transfer targets and even targeted each other's players.
Indeed, Arsenal were interested in signing Andriy Lunin in the 2024 summer transfer window just past. Furthermore, Real Madrid showed an interest in William Saliba of Arsenal too.
So, there is clearly a mutual respect brewing from both sides. Carlo Ancelotti is a big fan of the squad Mikel Arteta is cooking and the same can be said vice versa.
However, Arsenal may be hopeless in their current desire to sign a Real Madrid first team staple piece.
Fabrizio Romano confirms Real Madrid will keep Arsenal transfer target
According to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have no plans to sell Aurelien Tchouameni. In fact, the player also has no desire to leave Real Madrid anytime soon. He is a key part of the future at the club.
In his own words (via the Here We Go podcast), Fabrizio Romano said: "The intention of Aurelien Tchouameni is to stay in Real Madrid. The intention of Real Madrid is to keep Aurelien Tchouameni as a crucial player for that project. For present and future. They are in love with Tchouameni; with the player, with the professional."
Fabrizio Romano then goes onto say it's Tchouameni's professionalism which has won Real Madrid over the most. Notably, when the Frenchman was tasked with stepping in at centre back, it only bolstered Real Madrid's love for Tchouameni.
In fact, Real Madrid have constantly stated that Tchouameni is a key player for the future of the club.
Tchouameni is a transfer target for Arsenal. It is not surprising, considering Mikel Arteta's knowledge of Spanish football. He has targeted the Frenchman for his versatility, something which Arteta clearly values in his players, just like Carlo Ancelotti does.
However, Real Madrid are best-placed to keep Tchouameni. The midfielder is under contract at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium until 2028, so there really is no rush for Los Blancos to move him on.
While the player is football-focused, it also helps Tchouameni's desire to stay at Real Madrid that he is earning €240,385 per week.
For context, this would make him the fifth highest paid player at Arsenal. While Arsenal appear to be doing better than they were a few years ago financially, they are not yet at a stage where they can compete with Real Madrid in the transfer market.