The gap between Arsenal and Real Madrid has been getting closer in recent years.
The Spanish giants are the biggest club in the world and are the kings of Europe. They have won more Champions League titles than any other side in history.
However, in the 2024/25 campaign, Arsenal battered Real Madrid home and away, winning 5-1 on aggregate to knock them out of the competition.
That stunned many at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Gunners have now done something that has shocked the Real Madrid hierarchy again.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez ‘stunned’ by Arsenal’s offer to William Saliba
William Saliba is one of Arsenal’s most important players.
The Frenchman has been on the Gunners’ books since the summer of 2019, but it took him four years before he could make his senior competitive debut in the famous red and white.
Since then, however, Saliba has been one of the best defenders on the planet, and every club in Europe would love to sign him.
Real Madrid have been interested in Saliba for a long time, but Defensa Central have now shared some bad news for fans of the Spanish side.
The report claims that Arsenal have made a contract offer to Saliba worth €12 million a year net. That is significantly more than what Real Madrid were willing to pay, which is around €8.5 million a year.
The Gunners’ proposal to Saliba is around the same as what the Galacticos are paying Jude Bellingham right now. That shows just how serious they are about keeping him.
The report reveals that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been made aware of Arsenal’s offer to Saliba, and that has ‘stunned’ him.
For that reason, Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool has become the likelier option for Xabi Alonso’s side, which means Saliba is all set to continue his career at Arsenal.
Andrea Berta has another very important contract to renew at Arsenal
Arsenal are hard at work to tie Saliba down to a new contract, with the defender’s current terms expiring at the end of next season.
The fact that the Gunners’ offer has scared off Real Madrid is great news, as they are arguably the only side he would consider leaving Arsenal for.
Andrea Berta should wrap up Saliba’s deal as soon as possible, but at the same time, the Italian has to convince Bukayo Saka to put pen to paper as well.
The England international’s current deal also expires in the summer of 2027, and Arsenal need to tie him down to a new contract before things get tricky.
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