Arsenal handed boost by 'incredible' defender in £85m Real Madrid blow

Arsenal defender William Saliba appears to have his heart set on staying at the Emirates Stadium in a big boost for the Gunners, and potentially fatal transfer blow for La Liga giants Real Madrid.

The 24-year-old has become imperious at the heart of the defence for Mikel Arteta, forming a much feared partnership with Brazil international Gabriel. Saliba is widely regarded as one of the world’s best centre-backs and that has not gone unnoticed by Real Madrid.

The Galacticos, who are undergoing a summer rebuild under Xabi Alonso, have been heavily linked with transfer interest in Saliba. Ahead of the summer window, it had been reported by The Mirror that Saliba could leave Arsenal for £85 million.

William Saliba provides Arsenal contract update

While there has been no talk of an official offer from Real Madrid since then, the transfer speculation has not died. Fichajes recently suggested that the Spanish outfit could offer youngsters Arda Güler and Raúl Asensio to the Gunners as part of the deal.

Arsenal are believed to be busy trying to tie Saliba down to a new contract and that appears to be edging ever closer. The defender’s current deal is set to expire in 2027, which would leave the Gunners in an especially vulnerable position over a sale next summer.

When asked about a potential new contract during pre-season preparations, Saliba said: “Yeah, hopefully, There is nothing now but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. Let’s see.”

While that is far from official confirmation, it will be music to the ears of Arsenal supporters to hear that good conversations had been happening between the player and the club.

Mikel Arteta hails ‘incredible’ Arsenal defender

The French international has now made 134 appearances for Arsenal. Speaking about the defender as he reached the 100 mark last season, Arteta said: “At his age, the consistency and quality of performances is incredible. It’s not easy, it’s a really tricky position to play in this league.”

Speaking this week, Saliba also outlined Arsenal’s goals for the upcoming season, having fallen well off the pace in the Premier League title race last season. He said: “Our mindset is to win the Premier League and we will give everything from the first game. We have a lot of new players and they will hopefully help us to win this league.

“There are a lot of positive things [about pre-season]. We played two games; we won two games. There are also a lot of things to improve, but of course we have to keep going like that. We have three games left before the Premier League, so we have to keep going and keep winning games.

“Pressure is good, that means we are in a good place. If we are not good we don’t have pressure. We play football to have pressure.”

In other news, Arsenal 'agree initial fee' for next transfer as rivals eye striker deal.