Real Madrid 'reach agreement' for Arsenal star just days after Champions League exit

After what was undoubtedly one of Arsenal’s greatest ever two-legged European wins, the Gunners now look like they will lose a key player to the very side that beat so comprehensively.

Few gave Arsenal much chance of getting past Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. Yet defensively they were rock solid.

If their 3-0 home win at the Emirates wasn’t enough, the late winner at the Bernabeu showed that Arsenal’s season is far from over.

Despite the Londoners now being very much in the running for the Champions League title, it’s the Spanish giants they knocked out of the competition that are reported to have reached an agreement to sign one of their biggest stars.

A report from Spanish outlet Defensa Central, via Football365, has revealed that the La Liga outfit have singled out Arsenal defender William Saliba as their main transfer target.

It is believed that, although the Gunners want to keep Saliba at the Emirates, if the Frenchman wants to leave the club then they are open to negotiation.

Saliba has become a firm favourite at Arsenal in recent years, although he had to work at it.

The defender initially joining the club from Saint-Etienne in 2019 he was loaned back to France three times, with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Marseille.

His partnership with Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s defence has been a major part of the side challenging for the Premier League title over the last three seasons.

William Saliba jostles with Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe at the Bernabeu. Image: Getty

Saliba received plenty of praise in the Spanish press for his performances against Real Madrid. La Marca described him as Arsenal’s best defender, despite his mistake that led to Vinicius Junior’s equalising goal at the Bernabeu.

Madrid would have to make a significant investment in Saliba, as his current Arsenal contract doesn’t end until June 2027.

So, there is perhaps potential for Arsenal to chase a transfer fee for Saliba along with a Real Madrid player swap. Although who that could be at present remains unclear.

Arsenal will continue to be hyper focused on the prospect of winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Whether or not the speculation around Saliba’s future will effect his form remains to be seen, but what is clear, is that normally, Real Madrid tend to get what they want in the transfer market.