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Analysis
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Arsenal stunned as William Saliba tipped to LEAVE despite contract extension
Cameron Smith
- 7 Nov 2025 10:17 GMT
- 4 min read
News
William Saliba is reportedly likely to leave Arsenal in the future, despite recently signing a lucrative new five-year contract at the club.
The France international has established himself as one of the best central defenders in world football since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium and he has unsurprisingly been on Real Madrid’s transfer radar for several years.
Current ETV
William Saliba
D (C)
Arsenal
William Saliba
D (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€69.5M - €84.9M
However, Saliba opted to snub significant interest from Los Blancos in favour of signing a contract extension at Arsenal in September.
The 24-year-old’s new deal in north London isn’t due to expire until 2030, but Real Madrid remain eager to secure his signature amid their pursuit of defensive reinforcements and his recent comments suggest that a move could be on the cards at some point.
During an interview with Telefoot earlier this week, Saliba was asked about Real Madrid’s approach this summer and whether or not he was open to joining the club.
“Of course, it's always tempting when a club like that shows interest,” Saliba admitted. “But for me, I wanted to stay at Arsenal and win trophies before thinking about anything else.”
He subsequently brushed aside suggestions that he would reunite with former AS Bondy team-mate Mbappe at Real Madrid in 2026.
“No, no, no. The Bondy connection is in the French national team for the moment,” he confirmed.
William Saliba to join Real Madrid?
Although Saliba has committed his immediate future to Mikel Arteta’s side, Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that he will leave the club in the future.
He told Sports Mole: “I’m sure he’ll go at some point, but I don’t think he’d win the title this season and go: ‘That’s it. That's me done.’ He’ll be like: ‘Let’s carry on, let's make this a bit of a dynasty’.
“He's just signed a brand-new contract for a long, long time. He was an Arsenal fan growing up, but he's not got that massive emotional tie that some of the other players have. I'm sure if someone like Real Madrid comes knocking, you're going to want to experience that at some point.”
However, Saliba is extremely unlikely to join Real Madrid in 2026, with the Spanish giants expected to ramp up their pursuit of his international team-mate Ibrahima Konate instead.
The Liverpool star is into the final year of his current contract at Anfield and he has been widely tipped to complete a blockbuster move to the Spanish capital in recent weeks. If the Frenchman opts to leave Arne Slot’s side, it’s understood that Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi is likely to arrive as his replacement.
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