Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit on Wednesday night could prompt star players at the North London club to consider their futures.
The Gunners are unlikely to win the Premier League, as they sit six points adrift of Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Newcastle eased past Arsenal at St. James’ Park, meaning Mikel Arteta’s team are now out of both cup competitions.
While winning the Champions League remains possible, it could very easily be another silverware-less season for Arsenal.
If this lack of trophy success continues, star players may opt to make a move away from N5, with one particular star the subject of interest from a European giant this week.
Real Madrid have made Arsenal defender William Saliba their ‘priority’
Gone are the days where Arsenal would regularly lose their best players to domestic rivals.
The likes of Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, Emmanuel Adebayor and Alexis Sanchez have all departed for the Manchester clubs in the past, but this is no longer a real threat for the Gunners.
However, Real Madrid will always have to ability to lure players from the Emirates to the Bernabeu.
According to French outlet RMC Sport, the Spanish club have made William Saliba their ‘priority’ target ahead of the summer, and they’re prepared to break the bank to sign the Frenchman.
Arsenal aren’t keen on sanctioning Saliba’s departure, and would hold out for a ‘dissuasive’ fee to fend off Real Madrid’s interest.
It’s believed that if a deal were to materialise, the 23-year-old would become the most expensive defender in football history.
Saliba was targeted by Eddie Howe on Wednesday night in Arsenal’s game against Newcastle, producing his worst display in what has been an exceptional season thus far.
The centre-back was nervy on the ball and struggled with Newcastle’s direct style, in what wouldn’t have been an impressive audition to his future potential employers.
- READ MORE: Arsenal squad for Dubai trip revealed as expert predicts Gabriel Martinlli injury problem
Arsenal cannot afford to sell Saliba
While Saliba was poor on Tyneside in midweek, he’s been extremely consistent in the last two years and has become a pivotal figure at the back for Arteta’s team.
Saliba has forged a partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, which is the bedrock of the Arsenal team.
If either player were to leave the Emirates, the Gunners would be significantly worse off and would struggle to find a replacement of the same ilk.
Described as ‘colossal’ by football analyst Ben Mattinson, Saliba’s ridiculous technical quality on the ball, ability to sweep up and negate attacks, and his lightening recovery pace makes him one of the best defenders on the planet.
The Gunners boast the second best defence in the Premier League, and this is largely down to Saliba’s imperiousness.
It should require an absolute fortune for Real Madrid to pry him away.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
