Fabrizio Romano Announces It, Real Madrid Is Going to Sign the 'Bellingham' of Defenders

One of the most significant shortcomings that the current Real Madrid squad has recorded is in the center of the defense. The injuries of players like Éder Militão, David Alaba, and Antonio Rüdiger, as well as the presence of a Jesús Vallejo who doesn't count for Carlo Ancelotti, have caused many changes. The most criticized, without a doubt, is the placement of Aurélien Tchouaméni as an exceptional and emergency center-back.

Although the French '14' gives much more "security" to the Italian strategist playing in that position than other footballers in their natural position, his discreet performance was noticeable. Amidst that bad dynamic, the French stopper surprised everyone by having a good second half in the Madrid classic and delivering a solid performance at the Etihad Stadium.

Carlo Ancelotti has taken advantage of that good form to vindicate Tchouaméni's role as a member of the defensive line, but at the same time he also requests some reinforcements. The executives led by Florentino Pérez took note of his requests for the winter market, an urgent intervention in the squad postponed until the summer of 2025 market.

Meanwhile, the Reggiolo coach will have to wait until the next season to have new center-backs in his squad. The time remaining until that date, in the Valdebebas offices, will be used to properly scout the transfer market and choose the ideal footballer to join the team. The name of William Saliba seems to be one of the chosen ones.

First Place

The Arsenal center-back has everything necessary to be a key starter at Real Madrid from his arrival in Santiago Bernabéu locker room. The white bosses have focused on the French '2' due to his established situation in the European soccer elite, at just 23 years old, and his hierarchy in the gunner defense. His time at Arsenal has made him one of the references for the next decade and a half in terms of defense.

That's why they would have bet on this signing. The information published by Fabrizio Romano doesn't hesitate to point out that Real Madrid would be extremely interested in acquiring the French footballer's card. So much so that some, in the white hierarchy, already refer to him as "the Bellingham of defenders".

That comparison with such a complete footballer profile, to expand the available assets in the center of the defense, reveals that Real Madrid will not give up. The pursuit of his signing is a really complicated operation, especially in the financial framework: Saliba has a market value set at 80 million euros.

Furthermore, the long-term contract that ties him to Arsenal will make the Shenley offices request a high transfer fee to let him leave in mid-year. The figure could approach or even exceed the 100 million euros limit, an amount that Real Madrid could agree to as they did with the current white '5'.