Real Madrid reach UNIQUE William Saliba agreement

Cameron Smith

Updated: 19 Apr 2025 02:32 CDT
4 min read

William Saliba, Arsenal, Real Madrid, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Real Madrid have reportedly reached a unique agreement with Arsenal amid their interest in William Saliba.

Los Blancos have identified Saliba as their dream centre-back target and they are expected to intensify their pursuit ahead of the 2025 summer transfer window.

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Current ETV

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

William Saliba

D (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€59.6M - €99.4M

Real Madrid are reportedly unlikely to land the France international this summer, but they are hoping to sign him for a cut-price fee in 2026 or on a Bosman deal the following year.

Furthermore, Spanish outlet Defensa Central have now claimed that Real Madrid reached a strange agreement with Arsenal following their Champions League defeat to Mikel Arteta’s side on Wednesday evening.

Los Blancos president Florentino Perez reportedly managed to convince Arsenal to inform him if they ever decide to sell Saliba.

Real Madrid want to keep tabs on his situation at the Emirates Stadium and they are optimistic that Arsenal may push to offload the Frenchman next summer if he opts against signing a new contract.

© IMAGO - William Saliba is wanted by Real Madrid

William Saliba to Real Madrid?

Although Saliba has been identified as Real Madrid’s priority target for the centre of defence, former Los Blancos forward Julio Baptista doesn’t believe the Frenchman is ready to move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

“A lot has changed for players now. Before you get to a huge club like Real Madrid, you need to show more,” Baptista told Foot Italia. “It’s not like five, 10 games to show what you can do. You need to be one of the best players in the world season after season to earn the respect and the interest of a club like Real Madrid.

“I think for Saliba, there is no doubt that he is one of the world’s best centre-backs. He’s been a big part of Arsenal’s improvement over the years and has formed a formidable partnership alongside Gabriel, but I would like to see him lift a trophy with Arsenal before he leaves.

“If Saliba can keep showing that he has incredible quality, maybe we’ll see Real Madrid coming for him in the future, but he should only be thinking about winning trophies and becoming a champion with Arsenal at the moment.”

Saliba has made 44 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal so far this season, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) currently stands at €79.5 million.

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