Arsenal find Saliba replacement as Romano drops Real Madrid transfer update

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 7 May 2025 07:43 BST
• 8 min read

News

Arsenal have put a succession plan in place should Real Madrid launch an irresistible offer for centre-back William Saliba this summer.

Madrid’s desire to sign Saliba has been made clear, and with just two years on his contract at Arsenal, Los Blancos are eyeing a spectacular move for the 24-year-old.

Of course, Mikel Arteta does not want to sell his star centre-back, who has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €79.5 million but who realistically has a much greater asking price on his head. No deal would be considered for anything less than €100m, with Real Madrid likely to have to make Saliba the most-expensive centre-back ever if he is to leave Arsenal.

Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

€79.5M

ETV Range

€59.6M - €99.4M

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Fabrizio Romano says a deal could even happen this summer, with the football transfer reporter stressing that Real Madrid are willing to move whenever they get an opportunity.

“If they ever get an opening to negotiate for him, whether it’s this summer or next summer, Real Madrid will be ready because they love him,” Romano told his YouTube channel.

The Gunners are preparing for that possibility, according to Cadena SER, which reports that Valencia centre-back Cristhian Mosquera has emerged as a possible signing.

Although the player has a release clause worth €50m, Valencia are said to be willing to sell for around €20m. A target also for Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, Mosquera’s ETV is €13.4m.

Cristhian Mosquera: A player with a huge future

A 20-year-old Spanish defender, Mosquera is regarded as one of the best future centre-backs in the world by SciSports.

He has already played 32 times this season in LaLiga for Valencia and is a player who likes to play in a passing style, which is no doubt an attractive factor for Mikel Arteta.

Mosquera v Saliba: Projected skill development

Mosquera excels defensively in two key areas for Arsenal. First, he is strong at set-piece disruption, which has been problematic for the Gunners this season, while he is superb at counter control – a must for any Arsenal defender given the manner the team typically dominates games.

But is he of the calibre to replace Saliba? SciSports suggests not, with the data experts of the belief that Mosquera will never reach the France international’s current ability.

All this is just another reason why Arsenal must do everything to fight off Real Madrid's interest.

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