Real Madrid PILE PRESSURE on Arsenal as Saliba chase HOTS UP

Carlo Garganese

23 Sept 2025 08:30 BST
5 min read

Real Madrid are piling the pressure on Arsenal after they sent scouts to watch William Saliba on Sunday.

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TBR Football reports that Real Madrid representatives watched Saliba at the Emirates in the 1-1 draw with Man City.

Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€59.6M - €99.4M

The report states that Madrid still want to sign Saliba at the end of the season, with Saliba their top target to improve their backline.

The report does also add that Arsenal are making progress in contract talks with the player but Madrid are piling on the pressure by sending scouts to watch him.

Saliba to Real Madrid?

The Gunners are currently in negotiations to extend Saliba's contract, which expires in 2027.

Manager Mikel Arteta hinted recently that a new deal was not far away and Fabrizio Romano says that the Gunners have offered the France defender an important pay package with a higher salary.

While Arsenal are confident tht Saliba will pen a new deal, Romano recently warned on his YouTube channel that the club have set a deadline of the deal being signed by 2026.

The reason for this is because Arsenal do not want Saliba to only have one year left on his contract.

Romano also confirms that Saliba is at the top of Real Madrid's list and that they are ready to move if Saliba doesn't sign a new contract in the coming months.

TBR Football adds, though, that Dayoy Upamecano of Bayern Munich and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi are alternatives if Madrid can't sign Saliba.

Marca reported earlier this summer that Madrid president Florentino Perez had given the go-ahead for the club to go all-in for the Arsenal defender.

RMC also claimed that Madrid are prepared to make Saliba the most expensive defender in football history.

This would mean Madrid paying more than the €87 million that Man Utd paid for Harry Maguire from Leicester in 2019.

Saliba has been reported to be open to a move to Madrid but the English media and Arteta are confident he will stay at Arsenal.

Saliba has been integral to Arsenal’s progress under Arteta in recent years and is considered by many as the best defender in the Premier League.

He has formed arguably the strongest centre back partnership in England alongside Gabriel.

Saliba at Arsenal

The 24-year-old Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for £27 million.

After a series of loans, he established himself as a key player from the 2022-23 season as Arsenal twice finished runners-up in the Premier League.

He has made 138 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals.

Saliba has also become a first-team starter for France this year, playing in their journey to the semi-finals of Euro 2024.

He has won 28 caps for France and was also part of their squad for the 2022 World Cup where they reached the final.

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