Arsenal star William Saliba continues to draw the attention of Spanish giants Real Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.
The centre-back has grown with the Gunners to become one of the hottest defensive prospects in Europe, with his performances catching the eye.
With just two years remaining on Saliba’s contract at Arsenal, concerns have arisen surrounding his future at the Emirates Stadium.
It comes as little surprise that Real Madrid are interested in a transfer for Saliba, though a move for the Frenchman currently seems difficult.
Amid all of that chaos, Andrea Berta has opened talks with Saliba over a new contract, although a deal isn’t close as it stands.
With a summer of hectic business expected, Arsenal could face a challenge in keeping hold of their key defender.
Real Madrid want William Saliba transfer but deem him “too expensive”
With William Saliba’s long-term future up in the air, Arsenal are facing some pressure to get a deal over the line to keep him there.
The 24-year-old could be one of those making a switch to Real Madrid as the Spanish giants look to bolster their backline options.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid currently deem any deal to sign Saliba as “too expensive”.
The defender is one of three names believed to be on the radar at the Bernabeu, with Arsenal transfer target Dean Huijsen in there, along with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.
While Saliba may be viewed as a “dream target”, any move surrounding his future is likely to come in the next two years.
Fabrizio Romano reveals what Real Madrid think of William Saliba
Going into more detail on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano explained exactly what the Real Madrid hierarchy thinks of Saliba.
On the Arsenal star, he said: “William Saliba, the dream target for Real Madrid but for Saliba, the deal remains complicated because Arsenal have no intention of letting the player go, Arsenal want to keep the player and Arsenal are speaking to William Saliba to offer him a new deal, improve his salary and keep him at the club.
“They know Real Madrid are pushing, they know Real Madrid will be pushing in the future if a deal doesn’t happen this summer.
“But for sure, Arsenal want to keep Saliba, at least this summer, the club for Mikel Arteta.
“But he remains a dream target for Real Madrid. They consider him the ‘Bellingham of the defenders’.”
It shows just how highly Real Madrid rate Saliba, but at the same time just how important he is to the future of Arsenal.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
