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Real Madrid are prepared to break the bank to sign Arsenal’s William Saliba, with the French defender emerging as Los Blancos’ priority target to strengthen their defense, according to Sport.
Saliba, 23, has established himself as a vital player under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, attracting the attention of Europe’s top clubs. Real Madrid, dealing with defensive challenges, are now ready to make a record-breaking move to secure the France international.
The need for reinforcements at the Bernabeu is evident. David Alaba has yet to feature this season, while Eder Militao has faced recurring injuries over the past 18 months, sidelining him for another extended period. With Nacho Fernandez departing on a free transfer last summer, Real Madrid’s defensive depth is stretched thin.
To address this, Real Madrid have identified Saliba as their top target. Reports suggest Arsenal rejected a €95 million bid from PSG for Saliba last summer, but a deal worth over €100 million could tempt the Gunners into negotiations. Such a transfer fee would make Saliba the most expensive defender in history.
Currently, Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol holds the record for a defender, following his €90 million move from RB Leipzig in 2023. Harry Maguire (€87 million to Manchester United) and Matthijs de Ligt (€85.5 million to Juventus) follow closely behind.
Saliba, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €79.5 million and is the world’s most valuable defender, is reportedly open to a move to Real Madrid. The prospect of reuniting with childhood friend Kylian Mbappe, who also hails from Bondy, could play a significant role in influencing the Arsenal star’s decision.
Adding weight to the potential transfer is Antonio Rudiger’s endorsement. When asked which center-back he’d like to join him at Real Madrid, Rudiger responded, “I’d say William Saliba.”
While Arsenal are reluctant to part with Saliba, Real Madrid’s willingness to break the transfer record demonstrates their determination to reinforce their backline. For Madridistas, the prospect of Saliba joining the squad represents an exciting step toward bolstering the team’s ambitions for domestic and European success.
