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Arsenal defender William Saliba is not planning to push for a move away from the club this summer, despite growing interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid, according to reports from L’Équipe.
The 23-year-old Frenchman has established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe since breaking into Mikel Arteta’s first team. Now a crucial figure at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, Saliba is approaching the final two years of his contract at the Emirates Stadium—a situation that has caught the attention of top European clubs.
Among those monitoring Saliba’s situation closely is Real Madrid, with club president Florentino Pérez said to be a long-time admirer. The Spanish champions are reportedly eyeing the Arsenal centre-back as a long-term leader of their defensive line.
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However, despite the interest from Madrid, William Saliba has no intention of forcing a departure from north London. Talks are ongoing between his representatives and the Arsenal hierarchy over a new contract that would reflect his elevated status at the club. A new deal would likely include a significant pay rise.
Convincing Saliba that he can win trophies with Arsenal may be key to securing his long-term commitment. While the Gunners have made major progress under Arteta in recent seasons, they have yet to lift a major trophy since winning the FA Cup in 2020.
Arsenal defender William Saliba against Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr (Image credit: Getty Images)New sporting director Andrea Berta is said to be adamant that Saliba is not for sale and will not entertain offers from Madrid or any other club.
Speaking about the ongoing speculation and the player’s future, Mikel Arteta expressed confidence that Saliba remains committed to the project at Arsenal. “I leave those kind of things more for Andrea [Berta] and the club to talk about,” said the manager.
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“What I’m certain of, because I had a conversation with him, is that he’s so happy here, that he wants to continue with us. What will happen in the future involves negotiations and processes that we need to manage properly.”
Saliba himself has been vocal about his ambition to win silverware with Arsenal, acknowledging the importance of delivering success to secure a lasting legacy at the club.
“For me, I’m really happy here,” William Saliba said recently. “I’ve been here for two and a half years. There is nothing [to suggest a move]. I’m happy here and I want to continue here. I want to win big things with Arsenal. If you leave this club without winning anything, the fans will forget about you. I want to win big things here.”
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