A major transfer story has emerged, with reports claiming that Real Madrid and Arsenal are close to finalising a swap deal involving Rodrygo and William Saliba, according to Defensa Central.
Rodrygo, now 24, has struggled for regular playing time at Madrid following the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. Valued at around £90 million, the Brazilian winger has fallen out of favour under new manager Xabi Alonso. Arsenal have been monitoring his situation for some time, with Mikel Arteta viewing him as a versatile attacking option to complement recent signings Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke.
The proposed deal, however, would come at a major cost. Arsenal would need to part ways with William Saliba, who has been a key figure in their defence. Since establishing himself as a first-team regular, the Frenchman has formed a strong partnership with Gabriel Magalhães, keeping 43 clean sheets in 100 Premier League appearances. His consistency has made him one of the most valuable defenders in Arteta’s system.
From Madrid’s perspective, Saliba represents an ideal long-term solution in defence. Although they recently signed Dean Huijsen, the Spanish giants see Saliba as a generational talent capable of strengthening their backline immediately. With his contract running until 2027, this is also a rare opportunity to secure him before his value increases further.
Arsenal had previously rejected a similar approach earlier in the summer, unwilling to lose their defensive leader. However, new reports suggest Arteta may be more open to discussions if it means acquiring a player of Rodrygo’s calibre.
Fan reactions have been divided. Some supporters are excited by the prospect of adding Rodrygo’s flair and attacking threat to the squad, while others fear the defensive gap left by Saliba would weaken Arsenal’s title ambitions.
As the transfer window approaches its final stages, the football world is waiting to see if Arsenal will sacrifice their defensive stability for added attacking firepower—or stand firm and keep hold of one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
