Florentino Pérez is aiming to reinforce the central defense for the upcoming season.
As Real Madrid approaches the next transfer market, strengthening their defense is a top priority. Fabrizio Romano has disclosed that Florentino Pérez’s primary target for this position is William Saliba, a player highly valued at Santiago Bernabéu.
However, securing his transfer from Arsenal would require a substantial financial commitment.
Romano has stated clearly: “William Saliba is highly respected at Real Madrid and is regarded as a superstar. They see him as the ‘Jude Bellingham of Defenders.’”
Saliba Becomes Real Madrid’s Top Target
At just 23 years old, Saliba’s remarkable performances at Arsenal have earned him recognition as one of the best center-backs in the world, attracting Florentino Pérez’s attention.
The major hurdle is his contract, which runs until 2027, and his hefty price tag, making any move for him a challenging task.
A move for Saliba seems almost impossible, as Arsenal is not keen to part ways with him. If he were to leave, he would become the most expensive center-back in football history, surpassing Josko Gvardiol, for whom Manchester City paid €90 million. To secure Saliba, Pérez would need to offer even more.
Pérez is determined to find a top-level partner for Antonio Rüdiger. Concerns remain over how Éder Militão will recover from his second major injury and David Alaba’s ongoing physical issues. As a result, Real Madrid’s president has set his sights on Saliba, despite the high cost, and plans to open negotiations soon.
Saliba also has a strong ally in the Madrid dressing room: Kylian Mbappé. Both players, born in Bondy, France, forged a close bond in the youth ranks of the national team. The prospect of reuniting in Madrid excites both, and Saliba is reportedly open to the idea of joining the club and playing at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Fabrizio Romano has been the first to highlight this development, and Florentino Pérez is committed to pursuing Saliba, who is regarded as the “Bellingham of center-backs” at Real Madrid. While it won’t be easy, plans are already in motion to make this historic transfer happen.
