Real Madrid consider Arsenal defender their ‘dream target’ – Fabrizio Romano | OneFootball

Not too long ago, reports of Real Madrid’s interest in William Saliba spread like wildfire in Spanish media, with many claiming that the Arsenal star might join Los Blancos in the coming summer.

However, a lot has happened since. Although Real Madrid are on the verge of securing a deal for Trent Alexander-Arnold, adding more players to the roster could prove to be expensive.

This is relevant especially in the case of Saliba, who has a long-term contract at the club, with Arsenal not too keen on getting rid of his services.

Saliba considered too expensive

After giving his customary ‘here we go’ on the Alexander-Arnold move, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has offered an update on Real Madrid’s transfer plans in the defensive unit.

Romano claims that Williams Saliba remains the ‘dream option’ for Real Madrid as the club look to shore up their options at the heart of the backline.

William Saliba remains one of Real Madrid’s dream targets (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

The club, after all, have struggled due to the constant injury woes of David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao. All three are currently out injured in these final stages of the campaign.

While they are likely to come back by next season, there are mounting concerns over their long-term fitness, with Alaba even being linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Saliba, therefore, has emerged as an ideal option for Real Madrid in their bid to upgrade their ranks at centre-back.

However, Romano adds that the Frenchman is considered too expensive by Real Madrid, which is hardly surprising as he is considered one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

With a contract until 2027, Arsenal have enough leverage to hold out for a hefty fee for Saliba’s services. Real Madrid, therefore, might have no option but to explore other alternatives in the market.