Arsenal hatch William Saliba plan as Real Madrid step up transfer interest

Real Madrid remain firm admirers of Arsenal defender William Saliba and the Premier League club face an important few weeks and months which will decide their future at centre-back

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has ramped up contract talks with William Saliba in a bid to stave off Real Madrid interest, it has been claimed. French centre-back Saliba has been a long-time target for the Spanish giants, who are preparing a busy summer after falling short in their Champions League defence.

Los Blancos are already set to bring in Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer, The Liverpool star has confirmed he will leave his boyhood club over the summer, describing the move as "the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life".

A new centre-back is also high on their list, with injury issues leaving them light at the back this term. Toni Rudiger and David Alaba are out of contract in 2026, while Eder Militao has missed months of action with a second ACL tear in the space of two seasons.

Saliba isn't the only player on their radar, but he played his part as Arsenal knocked Carlo Ancelotti's side out of the Champions League. He gifted Madrid a goal in the second leg, but by then the damage was done and Arsenal ended up progressing 5-1 on aggregate.

Saliba's current deal expires in 2027, and L'Equipe reports that Real Madrid have attempted to "plant the seed" for a move. However, Berta is said to have responded by stepping up efforts to convince the 24-year-old to stick around.

Before any contract talks are concluded, Arsenal have the small matter of a Champions League semi-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain. The Gunners lost the first leg 1-0 in North London, with Ousmane Dembele scoring the only goal of the game.

Dembele was initially an injury scare for the second leg at the Parc des Princes, but will be available to feature. Arsenal have been given an injury boost of their own, too, with Riccardo Calafiori available for the first time since he picked up an injury during the March international break.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has no doubts his players belong at the highest level. "100%, I think that's how you have to embrace and take the game, you know, to make something special," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"As we said, to win the final of the Champions League, you have to do something exceptional throughout the tournament. We've done a lot of great things, but... in Paris, against this team is the moment to do it. And we will elevate the level of this team and start to make history. That's an opportunity we have ahead of us to do it."