Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England. | Getty Images
The Arsenal star is expected to command a world record transfer fee if he leaves in the summer.
Arsenal’s summer transfer window is set to be a busy one as they look to build a squad that can finally get them over the line in the Premier League title race.
They are set to sign a striker, centre-midfielder, winger and likely a goalkeeper amongst others, however, it won’t all be about players coming into the Emirates. They are already set to lose several players due to contracts expiring.
Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Kieran Tierney’s contracts are up in June, and Raheem Sterling and Neto’s loan deals will end. They will also need to try and keep hold of some players attracting transfer interest from other teams.
City join Real Madrid in race for Saliba
One of the bigger transfer stories that Arsenal may have to deal with this summer is that Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing centre-back William Saliba, who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world.
The Frenchman has made 39 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season, scoring twice, and helping the Gunners to having the best defensive record in the Premier League.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid aren’t the only team keen to sign Saliba, as Manchester City have now been linked as they look for a long-term replacement for John Stones.
The report says that City could be set to put a big offer on the table this summer for Saliba, whereas Madrid were hoping to wait until closer to when his contract expires in 2027.
Previous reports have said that Arsenal would demand a fee of over £83 million for Saliba which would make him the most expensive defender in history above Josko Gvardiol who cost City £75.1m in the summer of 2023.
Arsenal would likely reject any move from City to sign Saliba due to the fact that they are a rival for the Gunners’ chances at winning a Premier League title, making a move to Real Madrid more likely.
Saliba not the only Arsenal defender linked with a move away
It could be a tough summer for the Gunners in terms of keeping hold of their best players as Saliba’s centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhães has also attracted interest due to his impressive performances over the past two seasons.
He’s made 41 appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing three assists earning himself a world class reputation in the Premier League. Reports have linked him with a move to the Saudi Pro League, PSG and Real Madrid.
Arsenal are working to agree a new contract with the Brazilian international to try and keep him at the Emirates long-term until 2029 or 2030. His current deal with the Gunners is set to expire in June 2027.
In other news, an Arsenal legend criticises the club’s £600m transfer strategy in recent seasons.