Arsenal offer major contract to long-term Real Madrid target

Real Madrid began the overhaul of their defence with a €120m spend on their backline this summer, bringing in three more additions in the shape of Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold. With David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and Thibaut Courtois all into their thirties though, Los Blancos are set for further changes.

The name most closely linked to Real Madrid currently is Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool, who is out of contract next summer, and appears to be keen on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu. His name appeared after that of Arsenal’s William Saliba though.

Los Blancos have been looking at Saliba for some time, feeling he provides a unique opportunity in terms of skillset and age (24). Previous reports from the Spanish capital have described him as the ‘Jude Bellingham of defenders’. Saliba’s own contract runs until 2027, and the suggestion has been that if he were to make it to next summer without a new one, then he would become a priority target for Los Blancos.

However Arsenal are well aware of both Real Madrid’s interest, and the need to act swiftly. Sporting Director Andrea Berta started work on keeping Saliba at the club earlier this year, and Footmercato say that Arsenal have now offered a five-year deal to Saliba. An agreement is yet to be reached, but discussions are ongoing.

Perhaps the most promising thing for Arsenal is that Saliba has declared that his intention is to remain at the Emirates, telling the club media channel that his renewal would come ‘hopefully soon’. This is in stark contrast to Konate, who this week joked about Los Blancos interest in him.