Real Madrid look to add to Galático roster with William Saliba on the radar

Real Madrid concentrated heavily on strengthening their defense in the last transfer window. Three of the four signings—Trent, Carreras, and Huijsen—were defenders, costing €118 million of the €181.2 million invested overall, about 65% of the budget. Two of them were full-backs, one for each flank, while the third was a center-back.

Still, Madrid know their work is far from done. By the summer of 2026, further adjustments in defense—particularly at center-back—will be unavoidable. Several names appear on the club’s agenda, and the one with the strongest sporting credentials is William Saliba.

Arsenal’s French defender fits Madrid’s transfer profile perfectly: young (24) yet already experienced at the highest level. Reports last summer linked him as an option for Los Blancos, though the club ultimately moved for Huijsen instead. That decision was influenced by cost—Huijsen had a fixed €58 million release clause at Bournemouth, while Saliba would have required lengthy negotiations with Arsenal and a fee expected to be far higher.

Madrid may have passed on Saliba in 2025, but they continue to monitor his situation closely, knowing a center-back will likely be a necessity in 2026. Huijsen is central to the club’s long-term project, and Asencio has just renewed, but the rest of the defensive core remains uncertain. Militao is the most reliable of the group, though not without concerns—he has torn cruciate ligaments in both knees in the space of a year. Even so, he has returned in excellent form, and Madrid trust he can maintain it across the season. Alaba (33) and Rüdiger (32), however, are both out of contract in June 2026 and continue to struggle with recurring injuries. The possibility of losing both for free looms large, especially in Alaba’s case.

If that scenario unfolds, Madrid would be left with just three established center-backs—Huijsen, Militao, and Asencio—supplemented by potential call-ups from the reserve team. Joan Martínez, regarded as the standout defensive talent at Valdebebas, and Diego Aguado are the most advanced candidates. Even so, the club is preparing for all eventualities, and two external targets stand out above the rest: Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté.

Saliba’s contract situation could prove decisive. His deal with Arsenal runs until 2027, and renewal talks remain unresolved. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Arsenal have already improved their offer in response to Madrid’s interest. If he extends, the door closes. If not, he could enter the summer of 2026 with only a year left, forcing Arsenal to consider a sale to avoid losing him for free—a scenario Madrid are ready to exploit.

Konaté, meanwhile, offers a different type of opportunity. The 26-year-old’s contract with Liverpool expires in June 2026, which means he could be available on a free transfer. Saliba is the more attractive option in terms of profile and prestige, but Konaté’s situation is appealing in its own right. Both remain firmly on Madrid’s shortlist—proof that at the Bernabéu, the transfer market never sleeps.