William Saliba ahead of Sporting vs Arsenal
Real Madrid have been urged to move for Arsenal's William Saliba
Former Real Madrid defender Rafael Alkorta has urged the club to move for Arsenal's William Saliba.
France international Saliba has developed into a key player for Arsenal, helping them secure successive runner-up finishes under Mikel Arteta. He signed a new contract with the club in 2023, with the deal running until the summer of 2027.
Madrid had a quiet summer in 2024, at least as far as transfer fees were concerned. However, they handed Kylian Mbappe a big-money deal after the Frenchman joined on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Spanish giants have been linked with a summer move for Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract in June. Alexander-Arnold would act as a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal, but Alkorta believes the club also need to strengthen at centre-back.
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“There’s a weakness at centre-back and full-back because of so many injuries, but you can already say that [youngster Raul] Asencio has taken away a problem because his performance is very high," Alkorta told AS. "Maybe with him and another centre-back from the youth academy plus Rüdiger and Alaba, if he comes back soon, it could work.
Madrid have suffered a succession of injuries, forcing them to throw Asencio into the mix. David Alaba and Eder Militao have joined Carvajal on the list of long-term injuries, and Alkorta named Saliba when asked who he might want to sign to ease his old club's woes.
“I love Saliba from Arsenal," he added. "Without financial restrictions I would definitely sign him. He’s a really interesting player. Of the young centre-backs in Europe, I’d say he’s at least in the top three.”
Will Arsenal be able to keep hold of William Saliba? Have your say in the comments section
Real Madrid centre-back Eder Militao down injured
Madrid centre-back Eder Militao is a long-term injury absentee
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Image:
Getty Images)
Saliba was an ever-present for Arsenal last season, but his run of Premier League games was curtailed after a red card at Bournemouth brought him a one-match ban. The game on the south coast was one of two defeats for Mikel Arteta's team in the league this term, but the centre-back spoke about their resurgence ahead of Saturday's win at West Ham.
“Yes, we can feel it," Saliba said after the Gunners beat Nottingham Forest in the league and Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. "The coach has always told us to believe in ourselves because we are a really good team.
“We had some bad times but we believe the good times are coming. We will stick together and keep going like that. It is much better. I think we had two or three weeks before the international break when it was really tough. But now we have played two very good games."
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