REAL MADRID are “highly unlikely” to sign William Saliba from Arsenal this summer, according to reports.
The Spanish giants are eager to recruit a new centre-back ahead of next season.
Saliba, 24, is a player that Real Madrid have admired for several years, having considered recruiting him from St-Etienne in 2019.
But despite the Frenchman being among their top choices, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are unlikely to fork out the fee that it would take for Arsenal to sell Saliba this summer.
The commanding defender’s Gunners contract is set to run until 2027.
According to The Athletic, Real Madrid chiefs would rather Saliba run down his contract than pay big money to sign him sooner.
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The LaLiga champions are keen to either swoop for Saliba on a free transfer in 2027, or in a cut-price deal 12 months earlier.
It’s claimed that Real Madrid chiefs have a very good relationship with the Arsenal star’s team of representatives.
Ancelotti’s men are also interested in Bournemouth ace Dean Huijsen, although the Spain international is more likely to move to another Premier League side as Real do not want to pay his £50million release clause.
Bayer Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah could be a more experienced option.
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Saliba helped Arsenal to a 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first leg win over Real Madrid in mid-week.
Following the match, the centre-back vowed that the Gunners cannot go the Bernabeu next week simply to defend their lead.
He said: “We are not scared. We want to go there and win the game.
“We cannot defend the whole game. We won 3-0 but we know it is not finished. There are a lot of things that can happen.
“It was incredible because to win in a quarter final like this against Madrid, in front of our fans, is amazing. But now we have to do it again next week.
“One of the best [nights of my career] and I hope it’s not the last one.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
