Arsenal and Spurs set stance on defensive duo amid Real Madrid interest as wonderkid wants Chelsea move

North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are confident they can see off interest from Real Madrid to retain the services of two key defenders.

The La Liga giants are believed to be keen to strengthen their defensive ranks during the next two transfer windows and face a number of big decisions with the likes of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba set to enter the final 18 months of their current deals. Real are said to have shown an interest in Gunners star William Saliba as his rock solid partnership with Brazilian international Gabriel continues to play an integral role in what Arsenal supporters will hope will be a successful push for the Premier League title this season. The duo have earned wide-spread praise throughout the last 12 months and manager Mikel Arteta has recently revealed he also believed the partnership would come good.

Speaking to Fabrizio Romano earlier this season, the Gunners boss said: “We believed that Saliba and Gabriel could become really good… but their level now is something incredible, unbelievable. That togetherness and chemistry is unique and really good. I’m proud of Gabriel and Saliba, really”.

The progress of the duo has not gone unnoticed in the Spanish capital and The Express have claimed Saliba has been identified as a ‘key target for next summer’s transfer window’ as the reigning La Liga champions look to bolster Carlo Ancelotti’s defence. However, the same report suggests the Gunners are ‘not concerned’ by Real’s interest and believe Saliba will remain at the Emirates Stadium ‘for the foreseeable future’. The Express have also revealed Real are admirers of Spurs vice-captain Cristian Romero - but revealed there is no interest in a possible sale. Romero still has over two and a half years remaining on his current deal and has no release clause inserted into the agreement, despite reports in his native Argentina suggesting otherwise.

Wonderkid wants Chelsea move, says team-mate

Chelsea winger Estevao William has revealed future team-mate Kendry Paez is eager to finalise his move to Stamford Bridge.

The young duo have both agreed to join the Blues after the Chelsea hierarchy agreed deals with their current clubs and will officially become part of Enzo Maresca’s squad next summer - although the teenagers could be allowed to earn valuable experience in European football with loan deals on the continent. However, Estevao has claimed Paez is keen to make the move after holding a conversation with the Ecuador international during a recent international clash between their two countries.

Speaking to Placar, he said: “When we faced each other in the Libertadores, he had already been negotiated and I was working out the details. But, in this last game for the national team (in September), I met him in Ecuador and we had already made arrangements.  We talked a lot there. We talked about English, adaptations that will be difficult, but I think we have everything to make it work and it will be a great experience. 

“He came over and asked me how I was feeling. He also said that it was really hard and boring to study English, but that he was learning too. He said he wanted to go there soon, he wanted to have that European experience. I said we’d be there soon.  I think we can play together. Even though he plays more centrally today and I play more on the wing, I definitely think we can play together and it will be a good, healthy rivalry.”