'No uncertain terms' - Arsenal fire warning to La Liga giants who hold 'genuine interest' in £90m-rated star

Arsenal are said to have  absolutely no intention of selling their star defender William Saliba, amid increasing speculation linking the player with a big-money move away from the Emirates Stadium

Reports from FootballTransfers have suggested  that La Liga giants Real Madrid hold a ‘genuine interest’ in the French centre-back, as they continue their attempts to sign a new central defender after missing out on Manchester United star Leny Yoro this summer.

Arsenal and France defender Saliba has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in Europe and has understandably attracted interest from several of Europe’s heavyweights, including Los Blancos.

However, the report claims that ‘in no uncertain terms’, Saliba is not for sale at any price and the Gunners remain determined to  keep hold of the 23-year-old. Having bought the defender for £27m in 2019, it is not known how high a bid would have to be for  Arsenal to entertain it, but recent speculation suggests it could be in the region of £90m.

It is said that Real Madrid would be prepared to offer a player to the Gunners, with Rodrgyo’s name mentioned, in order to convince the Emirates club to make the deal, but this is not expected to work. In fact, head coach Mikel Arteta is instead hopeful of sitting down with the Frenchman in the new year  in order to discuss a new contract.

Saliba’s current deal in N7 runs out in 2027, so while the Gunners are not under any immediate pressure to firm up the defender’s deal quickly, it is believed  that the centre-back remains firmly committed to Arsenal and hopes to deliver domestic and international silverware this season.

The former Saint-Etienne star has been on the Emirates books since 2019, spending time out on loan  at his former club, Nice and Marseille before breaking into the Arsenal XI in 2023.

He has created a formidable partnership in central defence with Brazilian teammate Gabriel and last term, he became the first Arsenal outfield player to have played every minute (3,420) of a season for the club in the Premier League era.

Saliba shows no signs of slowing down after playing in all five of Arsenal’s Premier League matches so far this season and in the club’s opening Champions League match against Atalanta.

Arteta may wish to rest his star defender when the Gunners take on Bolton in tomorrow night’s EFL third round clash, but he will undoubtedly be back in action to face Leicester City this weekend as the N7 club’s Premier League campaign continues.