Arsenal have been handed an update on Real Madrid’s reported interest in William Saliba. Reports in Spain claimed in January that Los Blancos are desperate to improve their defence because of their constant injury problems at the back. It is said that Madrid are willing to pay big money to sign the French international defender.
Saliba rose through the ranks at St Etienne before making his first-team debut for the Ligue 1 side in 2018. However, Arsenal were quick to spot the 23-year-old’s potential, securing him for the Emirates Stadium in a £27million deal the following year.
After being loaned back to the French club, Saliba returned and became a vital player in central defence for Mikel Arteta’s team. The Frenchman has formed a formidable partnership alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, which has been at the heart of Arsenal’s Premier League title challenges in recent seasons.
But it appears that any potential move to Madrid in the future is still some way off. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that although there is interest, nothing more has come of it.
“Real Madrid like Saliba, but there’s nothing more to say at the moment,” he said in his latest newsletter for GiveMeSport.
“No talks, no negotiations, he’s a key player for Arsenal and nothing is really happening apart from appreciating one of the best defenders in the world.”
Our colleagues at The Mirror report that the Gunners are keen for Saliba to commit his future to the north London club. It is said that a potential new contract will increase his salary to an eye-watering £250,000 per week.
Currently, Saliba is reportedly the seventh highest earner at Arsenal, with a £190,000 weekly wage and an annual salary of £9.8m. It is claimed that his new contract would see his annual salary rise to £13m.
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