Real Madrid are looking to bring in a central defender next summer, but it appears their first choice will be off the table.
Los Blancos had been keeping a close eye on matters regarding William Saliba, but it seems Arsenal will fight off their advances.
Saliba has been on Real Madrid’s radar for some time, but his performances against Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League in April made a big impression in the director’s box at the Bernabeu. Their plan was to hold out until next summer, when Saliba would have a year left on his Arsenal deal, at which point they would consider making a bid for him.
However it seems that Arsenal have won the battle for his affections, with The Athletic reporting that a new five-year contract has been agreed with Saliba. The 24-year-old is expected to sign the new deal in the coming days, which would tie his future to the club until 2030. Saliba had declared publicly that he was keen to stay at the club, but while the contract was not signed, Los Blancos would have held out hope.
It means that Real Madrid will turn their attentions elsewhere. Given the length of his deal, and the likely astronomical transfer fee – if Arsenal would consider letting him go at all – their interest in Saliba has all but been ended. Following fresh links last week, it was explained that signing a new deal would be taken as confirmation that they should look elsewhere.
As such, it brings Ibrahima Konate into focus. The Liverpool defender is out of contract next summer, and so far has refused all offers of a new deal, amid heavy interest from Real Madrid. It is believed that he is keen on a move, and while no deal has been agreed, this would seemingly clear the path for Los Blancos to open negotiations, knowing they can sign a deal with Konate in three months’ time.