Real Madrid Plot £350K-a-Week Swap Deal for Arsenal Star Defender

Arsenal are being targeted by Real Madrid, who are offering a £350,000-a-week star in a potential high-profile swap deal.

Real Madrid are to exchange Rodrygo in a mega swap deal to sign Arsenal talismanic defender William Saliba, according to reports by Defensa Central.

Spanish heavyweights are keen to reinforce their backline this summer, and Saliba is their first target.

Arsenal, under transfer-market-refugee Mikel Arteta, are also desperate to bring players on board to build a team to win the title, and it is no longer a matter of buying the best but holding onto the best too.

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Despite signing young centre-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, Real Madrid are continuing to search for a marquee central defender. Their attention has specifically rested on Saliba — one they believe can develop into a long-term stalwart at the back.

They know that they know a deal will be difficult to agree because Arsenal value him so highly and he is one of the finest players in the world at his position, but that they can offer the Gunners Rodrygo, who earns £350,000-a-week, in exchange so that each side can sign a player that they want and be satisfied.

The Gunners, however, have been the Premier League's most active club in this window. With Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, and Viktor Gyokeres joining the club, Arteta has declared his ambitions loud and clear: win the Premier League after finishing runner-ups for three consecutive years.

Arsenal's Reluctance to Let Go

While Rodrygo is reported to be one of Arsenal's favored attacking threats, the possibility of allowing Saliba to leave may be expecting too much from the north Londoners.

The Frenchman has played a central role in Arsenal's resurgence under Arteta, pairing with his centre-back partner to form one of the league's most resolute centre-back partnerships.

Saliba has featured in 100 Premier League matches, during which Arsenal have recorded 43 clean sheets — a testament to his quality and reliability. No wonder the club are taking ages behind the scenes to secure him on a long-term contract.

Madrid's Plan B: Liverpool Star in Sights

Since the signing of Saliba looks problematic, Real Madrid are already in the market for alternative targets. Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool is said to be their target, having only 12 months left on his existing contract in Anfield. Moving for the French international is deemed easier, albeit at the cost of waiting until next summer.

Meanwhile, Rodrygo’s own future in Madrid remains unclear. Though he remains a valued member of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, the Brazilian has yet to make a final decision on his long-term commitment to the club.

Arsenal's interest in the winger is genuine, and with Arteta seeking greater firepower in attack, Rodrygo could fit into his design without a single problem. But aside from Saliba seeking a way out — something he has shown no signs of — there's little chance the Gunners will consider such a high-profile trade.

Madrid are not so concerned.

For now, this potential blockbuster is one to follow as the transfer window soap opera continues.