Real Madrid are reportedly planning on making a move for Arsenal star William Saliba in either of the 2026 or 2027 summer transfer windows.
Los Meringues are looking to bolster their defensive ranks after a series of injuries and lack of signings have depleted their depth in that part of the pitch.
After missing out on Lenny Yoro to Manchester United last year, Real have have been linked with a number of centre-backs, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth.
However, the club are ‘most keen’ on Saliba and put him right to the top of their list of potential transfer targets, according to The Athletic.
Real Madrid willing to play long game with Saliba transfer
Real ‘considered’ signing the French international when he first emerged at Saint-Etienne before he moved to Arsenal in 2019, but have maintained a ‘positive relationship’ with the player’s entourage.
That said, it is deemed ‘highly unlikely’ Saliba would join the Spanish giants this summer as the Gunners would demand an exorbitantly high transfer fee.
Arsenal are hoping they can convince the defender to sign a new contract as his current one expires in 2027, but Real will be waiting in the long grass, biding their time.
It is claimed they will stay close to the player ‘discreetly’ as they ‘prepare the ground’ for an affordable swoop next year or sign him as a free agent in 2027.
It’s a familiar transfer strategy that they have deployed to great success in recent years, signing top class players in the final years of their contract (Thibaut Courtois, Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Diaz) or when their deals have run out (David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé).
Real appear to have succeeded with the latter approach in their pursuit of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has reportedly agreed to join the 15-time Champions League winners on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of this season.
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