Arsenal are not currently worried about links surrounding William Saliba and a potential transfer to Real Madrid, Arsenal Insider sources understand.
The Frenchman has impressed with the Gunners in what has been an up-and-down few years since joining the club.
Arsenal paid £27million to sign William Saliba from Saint-Etienne in 2019, viewing the young centre-back as an option for the future.
Loan spells in France followed before Mikel Arteta finally handed him a chance in 2022, with the defender not looking back since.
With his status only growing, recent reports have linked Saliba with a transfer to Real Madrid, with his contract also starting to dwindle.
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Arsenal stance on Real Madrid transfer interest in William Saliba
With some impressive performances at Arsenal, it comes as little surprise that Saliba would be on the radar at Real Madrid.
Los Blancos are looking to build the next iteration of their superteam, with Kylian Mbappe – a close friend of Saliba’s – starring in this new look side.
Despite the interest from the Spanish giants, Arsenal currently remain unfazed, states TBR Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey.
He told Arsenal Insider about the situation: “Arsenal accept that he is one of the best defenders in the world now and it comes with the territory.
“They’re not overly worried at this point in time. They’re not denying he might be on the radar of other clubs but as I said, it comes with the territory when you’ve got one of the best players in this position in the world.”
It remains to be seen whether that will change come the summer, should Real Madrid step up that interest in the 23-year-old.
William Saliba’s Arsenal contract latest
The situation surrounding Saliba’s contract will no doubt play a part in proceedings over the defender’s future at Arsenal.
There are just over two years remaining on the Frenchman’s contract at the Emirates Stadium, which may put further pressure on his place in the long-term future of the club.
Once he enters the final year under contract, there will be more pressure on finalising a deal, which could drive any potential price down if he looks to make a move.
It means the next year could be crucial in keeping Saliba in North London, though it’s something the club are likely to be aware of.
Bailey said on the situation: “It’s something in the pipeline [a new contract], Arsenal insist they aren’t overly worried at this juncture.
“I think it’s one that in this year they will look at for sure.”
Whether a decision on a new sporting director will have to be made before those contract talks properly kickstart is unclear, but it will be one of the first things the next appointment will have to look at.
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