Announce Saliba's Signing by Real Madrid, Arsenal 'against the Ropes'

Real Madrid faces one of the most important summer transfer markets in recent times. The departures recorded this season, whether due to injuries or retirements and free agent exits, have left several gaps in very important areas of the first team squad. In addition to the search for Toni Kroos's heir, the club's executives are seeking reinforcement for the center of the defense.

The vicissitudes recorded in Santiago Bernabéu locker room have left Raúl Asencio, a center-back promoted from Real Madrid Castilla, and Aurélien Tchouaméni as the center-backs at a critical moment. The recovery of Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba has slightly calmed the debate, but a quality addition is still necessary.

Not only to "replace" the spot of a Jesús Vallejo destined to leave Santiago Bernabéu locker room when the current season ends, since his contract ends in a few months. The age of Rüdiger and Alaba, having surpassed the 30-year mark, already invites thoughts of a generational change in the position. One of the key footballers in this regard is Raúl Asencio himself, who is delivering a brilliant performance at 21 years old.

But Éder Militão, the first center-back of Real Madrid's competitive future, still doesn't have an adequate partner to form a duo in the center of the white defense. The goal of the merengue leaders is to secure this ideal footballer through the signing of William Saliba. The French defender, currently at Arsenal, is seen as the main target of the sports management to solve the center-back dilemma.

He Is the Chosen One

Several media outlets and journalists point to the '2' gunner as the top priority for the club's executives for the upcoming summers. But his signing wouldn't happen in a few months as many believe: his transfer could be set at 100 million euros or more. Mario Cortegana supports this thesis: "by 2025, I don't think Arsenal will sell him for less than 80 or 100 million euros".

The journalist from 'The Athletic' argues that "I don't think Real Madrid will pay that", so they will wait until the summer of 2026 to attempt his signing. William Saliba has a contract with Arsenal until mid-2027, so planning his incorporation a year before that date would put the "English club against the ropes".

Real Madrid would seek to provoke a situation similar to the one carried out in the past with players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alphonso Davies, or Kylian Mbappé. By seeking his signing as a free agent, the executives led by Florentino Pérez would expect a considerable reduction in his transfer fee. But it is no secret that "Saliba was already liked by Real Madrid before he made the move to Arsenal, they already had reports on him".

Mario Cortegana is clear: "I have a feeling that Real Madrid is working on making an attempt in 2026" considering possible departures in the defensive line. Certain changes are anticipated because "by then, maybe Alaba won't continue, or Rüdiger, someone might go to Arabia, maybe Tchouaméni has left or is just a midfielder"... at which point William Saliba would complete the roster of center-backs.