Arsenal host fierce rivals Chelsea in an intriguing London derby on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners have been inconsistent of late – failing to win any of their past three Premier League games – and have therefore slipped 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s side did progress into the quarter-finals of the Champions League by beating Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, but they face a tough test with reigning champions Real Madrid lying in wait in the last eight.
Now, it appears that the quarter-final tie will give Real a chance to see one of their transfer targets in action.
According to Fabrizio Romano via GiveMeSport, the Spanish side view Arsenal centre-back William Saliba as ‘the Bellingham of the defenders.
The Frenchman has been in sensational form for the Gunners over the past couple of seasons, and Romano claims that Real Madrid have genuine interest in the central defender.
Saliba has emerged as a target for Real Madrid
However, no talks or approaches have yet taken place as the Spanish champions are monitoring the player’s situation.
Saliba, 23, is under contract in North London until 2027 and the report claims that Arsenal are ready to offer the player an improved new deal in order to secure his future.
The player, however, is said to be in no rush to sign a new contract as his current deal has more than two years remaining on it.
Saliba joined Arsenal from French side Saint-Etienne in 2019 before spending time on loan back at his former side.
He then had spells on loan with fellow French outfits Nice and Marseille, before returning to London to establish himself in the first team at The Emirates in 2022.
The France international has now played more than 120 times for the North London side across all competitions, forging a strong partnership with Gabriel at the heart of Arsenal’s backline.