Real Madrid have made a Premier League star their ‘priority’ transfer target for next summer’s window.
Los Blancos are never shy of paying big money for a player. This summer, they welcomed Kylian Mbappe as their marquee signing as they aim to defend their La Liga and Champions League titles – with the former PSG star receiving a reported £106.5m signing-on bonus to join the club.
Brazilian wonderkid Endrick also joined from Palmeiras for a reported fee of nearly £40m.
Madrid have signed players from most top leagues in world football over the past 15 years, including the Premier League.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2009 transfer from Manchester United to Madrid smashed the world record at the time. The fee was thought to be around £80m.
Premier League stars Luka Modric and Gareth Bale followed suit and secured success in the Spanish capital.
In recent years, Eden Hazard and Antonio Rudiger left the English top flight for La Liga.
The former’s Madrid career did not go as planned, but Rudiger is a fixture in Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
And now the 15-time European champions are reportedly keen on yet another Premier League star.
Madrid have reportedly made Arsenal’s William Saliba, 23, their ‘top priority’.
The player’s entourage have already been contacted by the Spanish side, according to journalist Le10 Sport journalist Alex Bernard.
Saliba has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel in the Gunners’ defence.
Last season, Mikel Arteta’s side conceded the least goals in the league (29), with much of the credit heading Saliba’s way.
The French international’s contract is set to run until 2027, with the defender worth at around £80m according to Transfermarkt’s valuation.
Saliba extended his contract at the Emirates in 2023. Arsenal’s sporting director Edu stressed at the time how Saliba was part of the “vision” at the club, and he hopes the player will be “successful with us for many years to come”.
William Saliba has attracted interest from Real Madrid (Credit:Getty)
From Arsenal’s perspective, they will be keen to keep hold of one of their star men.
But for most players, playing for Real Madrid is a huge motivation, both financially and for their trophy tally.
And playing for the Spanish giants almost guarantees medals.
The Gunners have had regular dealings with Madrid over the past decade or so.
Mesut Ozil made the switch from Madrid to north London in 2013. Dani Ceballos had a two-year loan spell at the Emirates before returning to Madrid in 2021.
Even Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard joined from Madrid in 2021 following various loan spells.
Saliba’s potential future partner in defence, Rudiger, admitted his admiration for the Arsenal man last week.
“I say William Saliba,” Rudiger told the Inside Scoop podcast, when asked who he would like Madrid to sign.
Although the former Chelsea man was quick to express that he is “happy” with his current partner Eder Militao.
“I like Gabriel from Arsenal as well,” added Rudiger.