Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is preparing for the Xabi Alonso era, and he wants to back his new manager with an ambitious double-deal for two Arsenal stars worth a potential £101 million.
Arsenal set for busy summer of incomings and outgoings
The north Londoners have already sealed an agreement for Martin Zubimendi, who looks set to become Andrea Berta's first signing as the club's new sporting director (Fabrizio Romano).
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The Italian is already getting busy ahead of this summer.
Zubimendi will come as a direct replacement for midfielder Jorginho, who is on his way to Brazilian side Flamengo once his contract expires on June 30, so Berta has acted quickly to fill the Italy international's boots for next season.
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More replacements for squad members are highly anticipated as we fast approach the summer window as well, as Arsenal are believed to be in the market for a full-back to replace Kieran Tierney, who has agreed to join Celtic, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who Berta is expected to sell.
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A new central defender is also on Berta's ever-growing reported to-do list this summer, with Arsenal among the many contenders to sign Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen, who is being courted by a host of top sides.
Their concrete interest in the 20-year-old is perhaps an indicator that the long-term futures of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes aren't yet clear, despite Arsenal's attempts to lock them down.
Arsenal have opened talks with Saliba over a contract extension, amid Real's heavily reported interest in the France international, and it is quite simply imperative that Berta manages to keep hold of the former Saint-Étienne starlet.
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Los Blancos are said to be eyeing up a few Arsenal players alongside Saliba, with goalkeeper David Raya also on their radar. However, as per a new report from Spain, left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly is now also turning heads at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid planning £101m double deal for Arsenal stars Saliba and Lewis-Skelly
Indeed, as per the Spanish media source, Real president Perez is personally hatching an ambitious plan to lure both Lewis-Skelly and Saliba to La Liga in a "double deal".
It is reported that Real could splash £101 million on the signings of Lewis-Skelly and Saliba from Arsenal.
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While the latter is seen as their priority target, Fran Garcia and Ferland Mendy's unconvincing performances have prompted Real to consider Lewis-Skelly as an option as well, with the 15-time European champions pondering ways to orchestrate a deal with Arsenal.
Both Lewis-Skelly and Saliba have been vital cornerstones of Arteta's backline, and there would be uproar over any green-light to sell both men, especially after Arsenal lost out on this year's Premier League title to Liverpool by some distance.
It is highly unlikely to materialise, unless a truly unthinkable offer were to come Berta's way. Even then, it would arguably need to be high above the mooted £101m mentioned by this report.