Real Madrid identify Arsenal star William Saliba 'priority' signing in summer: Report

Los Blancos have been blighted by injuries to their defence.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, Real Madrid are showing increasing interest in William Saliba and might plan a move in the next window.

Saliba, 23, has developed into one of the Premier League‘s best central defenders since joining the Arsenal first team two and a half years ago, and the elite of Europe have long expressed interest in his talents.

Arsenal may face serious issues due to Real Madrid’s renewed interest in the Frenchman. Even if the Gunners have no intention of selling one of their best players, it now appears practically a given that Los Blancos will make a move for Saliba in the summer.

Although it is acknowledged that signing Saliba will be challenging, Real Madrid have named him their “priority” transfer target ahead of the 2025–2026 season, as initially reported by RMC Sport.

However, Arsenal are not going to give up the former Saint-Etienne player easily, considering how important he is to the team. Therefore, if Real want to get Saliba to the Bernabeu in the summer, they would need to shell out a big sum.

Real reportedly contacted Saliba’s camp last month in anticipation of a possible transfer. Sport stated at the time that Team Saliba, who has a contract through 2027, responded “positively” to the approach.

The Spanish capital side have been ravaged by injuries at the back with the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and David Alaba all injured. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has been left with very few options. This is the key reason that is pushing the club to sing a top centre-back in the summer and Saliba fits the bill.

Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have forged a strong defensive connection that has been crucial to Arsenal’s recent title campaigns.

Arsenal are currently competing with Liverpool for domestic honours this season after losing to Manchester City in the Premier League title fight for two consecutive seasons. They have come close twice to winning the title but failed both times. Once again the north Londoners are hoping to end their title drought given they last won the league in the 2003-04 season.

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