Real Madrid are reportedly upping their efforts to sign Arsenal star William Saliba, with club president Florentino Perez being completely sold on the defender.<\/p>\n
After patiently waiting his turn at Arsenal<\/a>, following loan spells at St Etienne, Nice, and Marseille, the centre-back is flourishing for Mikel Arteta\u2019s men.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old, whose contract runs until 2027, is now a regular France international and coveted by top teams such as Madrid<\/a> and Manchester City.<\/p>\n The Gunners will try to extend Saliba\u2019s<\/a> stay this summer but Los Blancos may try and scupper such negotiations by dangling an offer of their own.<\/p>\n According to Fichajes<\/a>, Madrid are planning on luring the Frenchman to La Liga and opening negotiations with Arsenal.<\/p>\n The report adds that while Los Blancos were soundly beaten 3-0 by the north London outfit<\/a> in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, Perez returned with \u2018one fixed idea: Saliba must wear white\u2019.<\/p>\n The Spanish giants know they \u2018must rejuvenate\u2019 their central defenders as\u00a0David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger, both 32, are likely to be entering the final years of their careers.<\/p>\n Saliba is said to be valued at around\u00a0\u20ac100 million (\u00a386.6m, $113m) but whether Madrid bid that much for him, if at all, remains to be seen.<\/p>\n DON\u2019T MISS<\/strong>:\u00a0Roy Keane makes crazy Real Madrid claim ahead of Arsenal second leg<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Saliba holds Arteta in high regards<\/p>\n In June 2024, Saliba admitted manager Arteta took him \u201cto another level\u201d after initially being too \u201csoft\u201d in training.\u00a0He also described him as a world-class coach.<\/p>\n \u201cHe taught me to have a good attitude,\u201d he said in an interview with L\u2019Equipe<\/a>. \u201cSometimes he thought I was a little soft in training so he asked me to be meaner.<\/p>\n \u201cIn fact, he wants the players to be scared when he sees me. He took me to another level. He is one of the best coaches in the world. He looks at all the details and hates defeat. We work on each match differently.\u201d<\/p>\n While he has talked up the Spaniard, if a Madrid offer comes his way, it may be too good an opportunity to refuse.<\/p>\n Much may depend on if Arsenal win a trophy this season or if they can continue to be in the hunt for silverware next season.<\/p>\n Real Madrid latest: Vinicius Jr snubs move, Ancelotti\u2019s uncertain future<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0\u00a0Vinicius Jr rejects BILLION euro offer as Real Madrid fate sealed<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49\u00a0\u00a0Next Real Madrid manager \u2018already signed\u2019 with ruthless Perez to axe Ancelotti<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n