William Saliba sent clear Real Madrid transfer warning as 'crazy' Arsenal point made

William Saliba has been handed some advice regarding his future by an Arsenal legend amid transfer links to Real Madrid. The France international can comfortably consider himself among the best centre-backs in the world having been a key component in how Mikel Arteta has revolutionised the Gunners' defence.

Already this season he has helped his side keep five clean sheets and subsequently played a huge role in keeping out Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain. In the 2023/24 campaign, with Saliba in the starting XI, the Gunners kept out opposition teams on 18 separate occasions in Premier League action

Such an impressive return does not go unnoticed though, with Madrid holding an active interest in the defender. According to Le10Sport journalist Alexis Bernard, Los Blancos have now made Saliba their transfer priority for the summer window in 2025.

Contact is already said to have been made with his representatives and Madrid are willing to pay whatever price it takes to sanction the move. Saliba moving elsewhere in the Premier League is extremely unlikely but a switch to Spain with the Champions League holders is perhaps the only thing Arsenal need to worry about.

However, Edu and Mikel Arteta will certainly hope to convince him that staying will be better for his career with club icon Gilberto Silva explaining why he should remain at Emirates Stadium. “I think there are examples of several other athletes who were at Arsenal in the past during good times, both for the club and individually, and who made an expensive change and weren't as successful," he told MyBettingSites.co.uk.

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“Arsenal has a philosophy within a very special culture, and people may not understand the greatness of this club. If they understood the greatness of the club and didn't let themselves be carried away by the ego that is inflated when faced with a big offer from a club like Real Madrid, they could build a history at the club.”

“Anyone who wants to take a different step in their career should do so, but with the certainty that they will have to build a history all over again. Arsenal is second to no other club in terms of investment.

"Obviously, knowing a little about the vision of the people at the club, they won't do anything crazy either, especially if the player doesn't want to stay at the club, right. The main point is that at a club like Arsenal, the player has to want to stay at the club.”