Arsenal defender William Saliba has attracted interest from top European clubs, with Real Madrid leading the pack for a potential summer transfer.
Mikel Arteta has developed Arsenal to one of the best squads in Europe which has made them a strong contender in the Premier League for the second year running. A key player in their impressive form has been Saliba, whose performances since the 2022/23 season have not gone unnoticed.
Arsenal signed Saliba in 2019 and sent him out on loan to France in his first three seasons. These loan moves were crucial for his development, and upon his return to Arsenal in the 2022/23 season, he quickly became a central figure in the defence. His absence due to injury towards the end of the season was a significant blow to Arsenal’s title ambitions.
According to reports from CaughtOffside, Real Madrid are not alone in their pursuit of Saliba. Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also reportedly interested in the French defender. These clubs are all looking to bolster their defence with a player of Saliba’s calibre.
Securing Saliba’s signature will come with a hefty price tag. Arsenal have valued the French man at over £85 million, a reflection of his vital role in the team. Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is said to be an admirer of Saliba, suggesting a competitive transfer battle may be on the horizon.
Arsenal are keen to retain Saliba and have no plans to sell him. The club is even considering offering him a new contract this summer, despite extending his deal just last July.
Saliba is currently regarded as one of the best central defenders in the world. He was signed by Arsenal for £27 million, a figure now seen as a bargain. The CIES Football Observatory recently valued Saliba at €100 million (£85 million), making him the most valuable defender globally. This surpasses the valuations of other high-profile defenders and suggests Arsenal would demand a substantial fee if they ever considered selling him.
