Real Madrid have reportedly made Arsenal centre-back William Saliba their “priority” for the 2025 summer transfer window, but are “considering” making a bid in January.

Arsenal signed Saliba from Saint-Etienne for £27 million in 2019 but he did not make his first competitive appearance for the club until August 2022.

He was loaned to his former club, Nice and Marseille before Mikel Arteta made him a regular in his starting XI.

Neither Arteta nor Saliba have looked back since. The Frenchman formed one of the best centre-back partnerships in world football alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and helped the Gunners compete for the Premier League title.

They have not won a trophy since their FA Cup success in 2020, but finished second in consecutive Premier League seasons with Saliba and Gabriel together at the back.

As one of the world’s best defenders, Saliba has found himself linked with the European champions Real Madridas well as Paris Saint-Germain.

The 23-year-old was born just outside Paris, so the move could appeal to him, even though Madrid is considered the pinnacle for most footballers.

Saliba leaves Arsenal? Real Madrid makes Gunners a ‘priority’ for 2025

The links with Los Blancos do not disappear and a new report from French media Le10 Sport claims Arsenal are ready to offer Saliba a new contract.

The France international signed a new four-year contract last July, meaning he will only have two years remaining at the end of the season.

Real Madrid have made the signing a “priority” during the 2025 summer transfer window, but are tempted to make an offer when the window opens in January.

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Carlo Ancelotti’s side could accelerate their interest after Eder Militao was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury.

This injury means that a ‘duel’ between Madrid and Arsenal has started and ‘things are moving forward’.

Despite “very strong interest” from Los Blancos, it is claimed that “Arsenal are not giving up” on keeping Saliba, who “feels really good” living in London.

The Gunners are “aware of Madrid’s interest” and have “great confidence” in retaining the Frenchman, with discussions resuming over a contract extension.

As mentioned, Madrid are “considering acting” in the winter window and Saliba “does not remain insensitive to their interest”.

The player “finds it difficult not to listen or even consider joining such a project”, even though it is only in its early stages and the Spanish giants “have not sent the slightest proposal” to Saliba or at Arsenal.

Despite this, “Saliba’s offensive could arrive sooner than expected given Militao’s serious injury” and a winter window offer is “being considered” as Madrid “intend to sign a new central defender” .