Arsenal stance on William Saliba transfer emerges as Real Madrid identify key target

William Saliba has been subject to transfer interest from Real Madrid but Arsenal are confident of keeping hold of the 23-year-old defender for the long haul

Arsenal are not worried about Real Madrid's interest in William Saliba and think the Frenchman is set to stay at the Emirates.

The 23-year-old has been a revelation since returning from his loan spell at Marseille ahead of the 2022/23 season. He made 33 appearances in his first full campaign with the Arsenal senior squad before missing the last eight weeks with a back problem - an injury that proved to be pivotal in their Premier League title bid.

Saliba recovered from that issue and played in all but two matches for the Gunners across all competitions last season. As a reward for another superb campaign, Saliba was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the second straight year. Despite this, it wasn't enough to help Arsenal win the title.

Arsenal have started the campaign in fine fettle and have conceded just seven goals in 10 matches this season, with Saliba's defensive performances catching the eye once again. Los Blancos are among those interested in signing the France international, who has until 2027 left on his contract.

Real are understood to have identified Saliba as a key target ahead of next summer's transfer window when they try and strengthen their defensive unit. However, according to the Daily Star, Saliba is loving life under Mikel Arteta and is considered 'untouchable' as the Gunners try and keep a prized asset.

It's added that Arsenal have 'no interest' in entertaining future transfer offers should they arrive, even if Real put a tempting bid on the table. The Gunners are insistent that Saliba is set to stick put for the long haul.

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Last month, Football Transfers reported last month that Los Blancos would be willing to offer a player to sweeten the deal, and Rodrygo has been suggested as a potential option, but Arsenal are not open to selling for any price. The Gunners are also expected to sit down with Saliba in the coming months to try and tie him down a lucrative new contract, though there is no immediate rush to get a deal done.

Speaking last year on his ambitions with Arsenal, Saliba said: "I didn't achieve anything yet, so I want to win everything with this club. I think we can achieve everything. Of course, it's easy to say this, but we have the coach, we have the character, we have the players and every year the team gets stronger.

"We have better players with a good mentality. We have a good experience from the last season as well. We know that the season is so long. So we are confident and we know we can do something good at this club."

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