Real Madrid will have to shell out a world-record transfer for a defender if they want to land William Saliba from Arsenal.

Saliba, 23, has established himself as one of the best defenders in the game and has been a virtual ever-present for the Gunners. The Frenchman has formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel at the heart of Mikel Arteta's rearguard as the North London club battles Liverpool for title glory. But the Premier League giants could face a major fight to keep the giant centre-back this summer, with Real Madrid reportedly identifying Saliba as a priority transfer target.

The ex-Saint-Etienne star is entering the final 24 months of his £10million-a-year contract at the Emirates and Arsenal don't have an option to extend. But the man signed for just £27million in 2019 could now be set to become the world's most expensive defender - if he's to end up at the Bernabeu next season.

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RMC Sport reports that the title-chasing Gunners will demand a massive fee for the imperious stopper. This would eclipse the £80m Man United paid Leicester City to make Harry Maguire the most expensive defender of all time six years ago. Although Saliba is settled in England, his head could turn if Arsenal ends another campaign without a trophy.

He could be joined in the Spanish capital by title-chasing rival Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Liverpool fullback weighs up a pre-contract offer from the Champions League holders.