Real Madrid needed to sign a centre-back this summer with Nacho Fernandez leaving the club while David Alaba is still some time away from fitness. Leny Yoro was believed to be their top transfer target in this regard but Manchester United ended up winning the race for his signature out of the blue. In the end, Los Blancos decided not to strengthen in that area of the pitch.
Sooner or later, Real Madrid will need to sign another centre-back. One of the players they have been linked with is William Saliba of Arsenal.
Saliba has proved himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world in recent years. Not just with his performances for Arsenal but also while representing the France national team.
Of course, Real Madrid already have a core of French players in their squad with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy. Will they be successful in adding Saliba to that mix?
William Saliba to Real Madrid update amid Arsenal exit rumours
For the time being, it does not look like Saliba is likely to leave Arsenal. A report from CaughtOffside goes on to read:
"We’ve seen some transfer gossip about William Saliba and it’s only natural that some of the top clubs in Europe would be interested in the Arsenal defender. PSG’s interest is nothing new – he’s Paris-born and hails from the Bondy region, like Kylian Mbappe and Randal Kolo Muani.
However, at the moment, whether it’s PSG, Real Madrid or another top European club, it’s very hard to see them being able to prise Saliba away from Arsenal. He’s one of their top talents at the moment, and one of the best defenders in world football, and after a strong showing at the Euros he’s shown he’s in that world class bracket. I think now that Mikel Arteta’s future has also been cleared up, I think Saliba will be looked at as a player that the Gunners hope to keep as a key cornerstone for the team."
But the chances of Saliba leaving Arsenal at some point in the future were not completely ruled out either, even if unlikely, as it was added in the same report:
"For the moment, I can’t see anyone going in for Saliba while he remains such a key part of that Arsenal project, but, depending on what happens this season, who knows, perhaps a scenario could develop that presents an opportunity for one of these top European clubs to sound out his situation."
There is no doubt that Saliba is one of the best defenders in the world right now. Also, at 23 years of age, he is only going to get better from here on forward, as he gets more experience under his belt at the top level.
So, someone like Saliba would be a dream signing for Real Madrid. He and Eder Militao could be their centre-back pairing for the next decade to come.
For the time being, a move to Santiago Bernabeu feels unlikely. But that does not mean that a future switch is completely off the table. In fact, it would be a surprise if he spent the majority of his career at Arsenal. Saliba's current deal runs until the summer of 2027 and it is only a matter of time before top clubs from around Europe come calling.