Arsenal close the door on key defender’s exit amid Real Madrid interest | OneFootball

Arsenal’s William Saliba remains one of the best young defenders in the world and it comes as no surprise that Real Madrid have been behind his signing for a reasonable time now.

The French centre-back, after all, cleared his audition against Real Madrid and at the Santiago Bernabeu in the UEFA Champions League last season and the Merengues see him to be the dream centre-back signing who can define an era alongside Dean Huijsen.

Their path to his potential signing, however, has been anything but easy so far given Arsenal’s reluctance to sell the crown jewel. Now, AS relays another update that moves Saliba further away from the Spanish capital.

Arsenal unperturbed by Real Madrid

As relayed by the Spanish outlet, Mikel Arteta’s side are determined to keep Saliba close and rule out any talk over a potential transfer with no second thought.

Not for sale. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Even an offer above €100 million will seemingly not be enough to lure them into accepting the possibility. Arsenal and Arteta want to hear nothing about Saliba’s departure.

The player has only two years left on his contract in London but even that does not instigate any fear in the Arsenal offices as they remain confident that he will sign an extension and remain at the club.

In fact, they are even in talks with the player to improve his contract and make him one of the highest-paid players in the team. Needless to say, that will go a long way in deciding the player’s future.

Last season, the 24-year-old defender made 35 league appearances for Arsenal in the Premier League scoring two goals for the team. In that duration, he oversaw 12 clean sheets and contributed over ten defensive actions per game.