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Published February 10, 2025 1:17pm Updated February 10, 2025 1:18pm
William Saliba could only laugh as an Arsenal fan begged him to stay in the Premier League and turn down a big money transfer to Real Madrid.
One of the best defenders in the world right now, Saliba is once again enjoying a fine season at the Emirates – even if Arsenal look set to miss out on silverware.
The France international has formed a formidable centre-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, with the Gunners boasting the second-best defensive record in the Premier League and Champions League.
Unsurprisingly, his performances have caught the attention of rival clubs and it was recently reported that Real Madrid view the signing of Saliba as an ‘absolute priority’ this summer.
Arsenal do not fear losing their star player however and even if they did want to sell him, they would demand a fee higher than the transfer record for a defender, currently held by Manchester United’s Harry Maguire (£80million).
And the player himself appears to have laughed off suggestion of a transfer to Los Blancos when the very subject was brought up by a couple of supporters.
Arsenal are currently training in Dubai as they look to reset and reinvigorate their stuttering campaign and on Monday footage emerged on social media of the players signing autographs for onlooking fans.
One excited supporter handed Saliba an Arsenal shirt to sign and told the 23-year-old: ‘Saliba, Champions League please!’ to which the defender seemingly responded: ‘Inshallah (If Allah wills it)’.
‘As the shirt was signed, the fan then said: ‘Please Saliba, never go Madrid!’ while another supporter could be heard saying: ‘No Madrid, yes? Stay Arsenal!’
Saliba could only chuckle somewhat nervously, not willing to give any indication either way, but it seems very unlikely that he’ll leave the Emirates any time soon.
Arsenal have been knocked out of both domestic cups and could go nine points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race if the Reds win Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby.
The Champions League is still on offer and the Gunners are one of the favourites having finished third in the league phase. They’ll play the winner of either Feyenoord vs AC Milan or Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven in the last-16.
Saliba, who signed from Saint-Etienne for £27m in 2019, has a contract until 2027, though Arsenal legend Ian Wright has warned the club that they must show ambition in the transfer market in order to keep their best players happy.
‘We have to start thinking about about Gabriel, Saliba and [Bukayo] Saka. After this season, they’ve got two years left,’ the former striker said.
‘How long before their management teams say, “we need to see the ambition of this club”? Do any of those players want to end up not winning anything because the way it’s going at the moment…’
‘They need to do some unbelievable business in the summer. They need to bring players in that makes them say, “f**k, these guys are serious”.’
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