Arsenal’s transfer condition for allowing William Saliba to join Real Madrid emerges

William Saliba has been a target for Real Madrid for some time, but Arsenal’s stance on the French international defender has become clear amid interest from Spain

Arsenal would only allow William Saliba to join Real Madrid if the Spanish club part with a world record fee for a defender, it has been claimed.

Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne as a promising youngster in 2019 and has grown into one of the most in-demand centre-backs in world football. He played every minute last season as the Gunners came within a win of the Premier League title, and has remained a key player for Mikel Arteta’s side this term.

Madrid have long been in the market for a new centre-back, with injuries to some key men remaining a factor. Eder Militao has suffered a second ACL tear in two years, while David Alaba is only just back from a similar injury and Toni Rudiger is currently sidelined with a separate problem..

Saliba, 23, is said to be Los Blancos’ top priority. He is under contract with Arsenal until 2027, though, and the London side won’t let one of their prize assets leave on the cheap.

According to RMC Sport, Arsenal would only sell for a record fee, and would rather not sell at all. The current record is the £78.3million Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019, with Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol (£77m) a close second.

Saliba isn’t the only defensive target on Los Blancos’ radar. Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was a January target after an injury to Dani Carvajal, though the Reds were in no rush to sell.

Alexander-Arnold could yet move in the summer when his Liverpool contract expires. Saliba will be a tougher deal to seal, though a potential move for Vinicius Junior could yet free up the funds the Champions League holders need.

Will Arsenal sell William Saliba in the summer? Have your say in the comments section

According to The Athletic, the Brazilian has rejected Madrid’s opening offer of a new contract. Like Saliba, his current deal runs until 2027, and in his case the Ballon d’Or runner-up is said to want wages in keeping with his status as one of the world’s best.

The former Flamengo star has publicly indicated a desire to stay in the Spanish capital for the forseeable future. His representatives are said to have explored a potential Saudi Pro League switch, though, and interest from the gulf state could be renewed in the summer of 2025.

Saliba, meanwhile, is part of a group of Arsenal players to jet off for Dubai, where Mikel Arteta’s squad are enjoying a warm-weather camp before their next Premier League game on February 15. Fellow defender Ben White is also part of the group, with the former Brighton man close to returning from knee surgery after three months on the sidelines.

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