Real Madrid engage in talks over top defender for their new project

Although some time has passed and his name seems to have been tucked away in a drawer at the Real Madrid training ground, William Saliba (Paris, 24 years old) remains very much on the radar of Real Madrid’s directors.

The Champions League quarter-final clash between Arsenal and Madrid—where he had a standout duel with Mbappé—only reinforced the club’s interest in the French centre-back, who, interestingly, hails from the same neighborhood as Kylian.

Like Ibrahima Konaté at Liverpool, Saliba has shown little desire to renew his contract with the Gunners. His current deal runs until the summer of 2027, but Arsenal’s leadership—headed by sporting director Andrea Berta, the former Atlético man—are pushing to extend it to around 2032.

Their goal is to solidify a young, ambitious project under Mikel Arteta, still chasing its crowning achievement: a Premier League title.

L’Équipe has already reported that Real Madrid have met with Saliba’s entourage to lay the groundwork for a potential future move to the Spanish capital. The situation in Madrid’s back line suggests reinforcements are not just a luxury, but a necessity: Rüdiger’s recurring injuries, Alaba’s physical decline, ongoing doubts about Militao after two serious knee injuries, and Raúl Asencio’s lack of leadership and presence all raise concerns.

Huijsen is expected to be part of the future, potentially alongside Militao—but that pairing alone won’t be enough.

With his compatriot Konaté also under consideration, and with other French stars like Camavinga, Mendy, Tchouaméni, and now Mbappé already in the squad, Madrid’s French scouting radar is clearly in full swing. The question now is who arrives first: Saliba or Konaté? One thing is clear—both would be welcome.