Arsenal Breathe Easy: PSG, Real Madrid Move for Star Defender Unlikely, Expert Says | OneFootball

CaughtOffside reported on Monday, citing sources, that Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich are monitoring Arsenal defender William Saliba.

Despite the slim chance of the Gunners letting Saliba go, given his contract runs until 2027 they’d only consider offers in the range of at least €120 million or more.

PSG are likely setting the stage to strengthen their defense under manager Luis Enrique. They’ve already signed Willian Pacho, but he could be just one piece of a bigger plan to upgrade the center-back unit.

With Marquinhos now in his 30s, Lucas Hernandez recovering from a major injury, and Milan Skriniar not part of the club’s long-term future, Pacho and Lucas Beraldo represent the young talent in the squad.

Although PSG have added more young French talent to the squad over the past two years, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Johnson notes that he doesn’t see the reigning Ligue 1 champions or any other side taking away Saliba from the Premier League club.

“I think PSG would ideally have liked to move on some players in defense this summer, such as Milan Skriniar, but I don’t think that they would necessarily have looked to add someone of Saliba’s profile – they were very keen on Yoro but ended up getting Willian Pacho, and it’s easy to forget just how important Lucas Hernandez was for PSG before his untimely injury, so that’s another factor for them to consider, that they have very impressive strength in depth in defense once he’s back and fit,” Johnson wrote in his Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside.

“For the moment, I can’t see anyone going in for Saliba while he remains such a key part of that Arsenal project, but depending on what happens this season, who knows, perhaps a scenario could develop that presents an opportunity for one of these top European clubs to sound out his situation.”