Real Madrid are planning for a defensive overhaul after a lackluster season and Arsenal's William Saliba is eyed at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid are reportedly lining up William Saliba for a summer move after a disastrous season that is likely going to leave the Bernabeu club without winning a trophy.
The Gunners humbled Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals with an aggregate of 5-1 win with the French centre-back playing every minute in both legs and impressed the Madrid scouts.
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Madrid, who were favorites against Arsenal owing to the record in Europe's premier competition, were dumped out of Europe by Mikel Arteta's side and lost last weekend's Copa del Rey final to Barcelona in dramatic circumstances as reported by the Daily Mail.
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They also sit four points behind their fierce El Clasico rivals in the league, with just five fixtures remaining, while key defender Antonio Rudiger could face a ban of up to 12 games after chucking ice at a referee.
Los Blancos will look to bolster their squad in the summer, with Madrid making Saliba their number one target, despite Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti likelihood of departing the Spanish giants to team up with Brazil national team.
Why Saliba is on demand
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Saliba has gained a reputation as one of the world's best defenders in recent seasons and was included in the 2024 FIFA The Best World XI.
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Saliba will have just two years left on his deal at the Emirates by the summer, with no in-built option to extend it. He only signed the new contract last season, worth around £10million per season. The 24-year-old has been a lynchpin of the Arsenal back line since 2022.
He played every minute of the 2023-24 campaign in the Premier League's most watertight defence. This season has been no different and he has featured in all but two of Arsenal's Premier League fixtures.
Madrid have long admired Saliba, having been named as part of a group of suitors in the 2021-22 season while he was impressing on loan at Marseille.
Madrid have the funds to sign Saliba
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Madrid's last major outlay at the back was for left-back Ferland Mendy from Lyon in 2019, when they forked out around £47m. They have had success in the free market bringing in stars such as Antonio Rudiger from Chelsea and David Alaba from Bayern Munich, and it could be the same with Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer.
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Rafael Benitez: Former Liverpool and Real Madrid Manager Rejects Offer to Coach African Giants
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They are also reportedly interested in bringing midfielder Alexis Mac Allister to the Spanish capital, with Real Sociedad target Martin Zubimendi believed to favour a move to the Emirates. The Liverpool star has played a crucial role as the Reds wrapped up the Premier League title this season, featuring in all but one of their league fixtures.
The Argentine will be difficult to prise away from Anfield, where he is contracted until 2028.