SHOCK Arsenal claim leaves Arteta stunned: €80m star wants 'a new project'

Tom Weber

Updated: 20 Sept 2025 13:17 BST
4 min read

Arsenal superstar William Saliba is 'willing to look for a new project' amid interest from Real Madrid, according to Spanish media.

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The France international continues to make headlines due to his being a priority target for Los Blancos in 2026. Real Madrid have identified Saliba as their preferred reinforcement for next summer.

Arsenal, naturally, have no intention of losing their star defender and have been in talks with his camp over a new contract beyond 2027. A fresh offer has been submitted, and Mikel Arteta has claimed that good progress is being made.

Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€57.9M - €96.5M

However, Real Madrid feel that the length of Saliba's current contract is their 'trump card.' If Arsenal can't reach an agreement with the 24-year-old in the coming months, they will likely have no choice but to sell in the summer unless they are willing to risk losing him for nothing.

Now, El Desmarque claims that there is no guarantee that Saliba will extend his Arsenal deal. The report asserts that the France international is 'willing to look for a new project' and could be tempted by Real Madrid's interest.

Saliba set for €80m move?

The Spanish publication outlines that Real Madrid would ideally like to sign both Saliba and Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate next summer, with the latter available on a free transfer as things stand.

Securing Saliba would, of course, be much more complicated. Should he indeed opt to pursue a move away from Arsenal, he would cost at least €80 million, which is in line with his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €77.2m.

Real Madrid would try to negotiate that price down given that they would be operating from a position of strength due to his expiring terms. However, this is all just hypothetical at this point.

It remains to be seen how the contract talks between Saliba and Arsenal evolve, but there is no doubt that Real Madrid will do everything in their power to woo the Frenchman in order to prevent him from renewing his deal in North London.

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