Liverpool have received a transfer blow after William Saliba reportedly signed a new contract at Arsenal.
The Gunners centre-back has emerged as one of the leading defenders in the Premier League in recent years, drawing attention from the likes of Real Madrid.
But Saliba, 24, is set to put an end to those rumours with it reported by The Athletic that the Frenchman is expected to sign a new long-term deal in the coming days.
Saliba's current terms expire in June 2027, seeing Los Blancos circle in the hope of landing the defender in a cut-price deal, or eventually on a free transfer, if Arsenal were unable to secure his future long-term.
However, these latest developments in north London could spell an issue for Liverpool, with Madrid now more likely to focus their defensive targets on Reds ace Ibrahima Konate, or Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, whose deadline move to Anfield broke down.
William Saliba
William Saliba is set to sign a new contract at Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
Konate, 26, and Guehi, 25, are both out of contract next summer and are free to discuss a move to clubs abroad as free agents at the end of the season from January.
Madrid have been heavily linked with both defenders in a free transfer swoop, with the 15-time European champions making a habit of signing stars for nothing at the end of their contracts in recent years.
Liverpool are keen to retain Konate and tie him down to a new contract, while signing Guehi appeared a slam dunk in the summer, but the Reds opted not to cough up Palace's £40m price tag earlier in the summer, leaving the door open for Madrid to join the race.
The Madrid giants have signed Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba all on free transfers, while they paid £10million to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold early so he could feature in the Club World Cup, with his exit from Liverpool at the end of his contract coming after the start of the tournament.
Saliba had been the subject of interest from the Santiago Bernabeu club, but stated in March he was happy to stay at Arsenal and said his goal is to win trophies with the Gunners.
Speaking in July about whether he will sign a new contract to remain in north London, Saliba said: “Yes, hopefully — of course there is nothing now but there is a good conversation with my agent and the club. Let’s see.”