Arsenal handed William Saliba to Real Madrid transfer twist as £80m January plan hatched

Arsenal have been handed an update on Real Madrid's potential plans for William Saliba. Los Blancos have been linked to the Gunners defender for several transfer windows with his performances and supposed openness to playing for Madrid making it entirely plausible he seeks an Emirates Stadium exit.

With that being said, the France international recently signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal which will keep him at the club until 2027 and is therefore likely keen to bring prolonged success to north London, having built up an impressive partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.

The centre-back duo have not quite been as dominant in the early weeks of the season though, with Arsenal having kept just three Premier League clean sheets and none in their last seven games. Challenging fixtures, injuries and red cards have all played a part but at least one of those things looks set to dissipate.

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Between their return to action at home to Nottingham Forest and the start of 2025, the Gunners will face just two teams currently in the top half of the Premier League table. Saliba remaining fit for that entire period will be key, with it made clear during his lengthy injury absence 18 months ago just how important he is to Arteta.

Because of that, the Arsenal boss will want to keep him at the club for as long as possible but those Madrid transfer rumours continue to ramp up. Following what looked to be a season-ending injury for Eder Militao, the European champions could be looking for some defensive reinforcements with David Alaba and Dani Carvajal also out.

However, Carlo Ancelotti does not appear to be planning on making a move for Saliba in the January transfer window but instead a different Premier League defender. According to the Mail, Madrid are weighing up a January move for Forest's Murillo with the Brazil international having impressed during his first 14 months at the City Ground.

There is a significant stumbling block in the deal however, with Madrid valuing him at £40million while Forest want at least double that to sanction a departure. Such a marquee deal being done in the winter window is therefore unlikely which could lead to Madrid making a fresh approach for Saliba next summer.