Arsenal have reportedly accelerated contract talks with William Saliba in a bid to fend off growing interest from Real Madrid.
Saliba, who has Cameroonian heritage, has emerged as a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup, becoming one of the Premier League’s standout centre-backs since his breakthrough at the Emirates.
However, with just two years left on his current deal, the Gunners are eager to avoid a repeat of the Kylian Mbappe saga that saw Paris Saint-Germain scramble to keep their star player.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, Real Madrid have been in contact with Saliba for several weeks, viewing the 24-year-old as a critical part of their defensive rebuild.
The Spanish giants are looking to overhaul an ageing backline that has struggled with injuries, and see Saliba as an ideal long-term solution.
In response, Arsenal’s newly appointed sporting director, Andrea Berta, is said to have opened fresh negotiations with Saliba to secure his future at the Emirates.
The Gunners are reportedly keen to lock down their defensive linchpin with a long-term deal, recognising his immense value to the club’s ongoing project.
While Real Madrid are prepared to play the waiting game, the pressure is mounting on Arsenal to finalise an agreement before the summer transfer window, as the prospect of losing one of their defensive cornerstones to a European rival would be a significant setback.
