William Saliba agents request new meeting with Arsenal amid fresh Real Madrid talk | OneFootball

Arsenal defender William Saliba remains the apple of Real Madrid’s proverbial eye, with the French defender still on the agenda for Los Blancos. Saliba has been linked with Los Blancos for much of the last year, while the Gunners are trying to renew his contract.

There has been plenty of talk over the renewal, with Arsenal Sporting Director making him a new contract offer this summer. Meanwhile in recent months, Real Madrid have been more heavily linked with Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool, who is out of contract next summer.

Real Madrid send message to William Saliba

On Friday, fresh talk of Real Madrid’s interest in the French defender emerged in the Spanish capital. Diario AS assure that Real Madrid are keeping a very close eye on him and still remain very keen on the 24-year-old. His contract is up in 2027, so Los Blancos could look to get a cut-price deal done with Arsenal over the next two years. They say that Konate is seen as the ‘cheap option’, as they seek to reinforce a defence set to lose David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger next summer. There is though a clear message to Saliba: if he renews his deal, Real Madrid’s interest will end.

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Saliba agents request meeting with Arsenal

That report emerged on Friday evening, and less than two hours later, IndyKaila warned that Saliba’s agents have requested an ‘urgent meeting’ with Arsenal over their contract discussions. The suggestion is that they will demand more money to sign a new deal with Arsenal.

Los Blancos are looking for a long-term partner fro Dean Huijsen, and with Alaba and Militao out, are expected to sign another central defender next summer. Saliba is the cornerstone of Arsenal’s defence, but has been highlighted as a unique central defensive talent.