William Saliba and ex-Arsenal ace already dropped transfer hint as 'Real Madrid plot move'

William Saliba has been a major hit for Arsenal since signing for the Gunners back in 2019, but Real Madrid may soon make a move for the French centre-half having failed to sign him in the summer

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Matteo Guendouzi has previously claimed that William Saliba's 'true' footballing love lies with one club, and it's not with Arsenal.

Saliba, a French centre-back, climbed the ranks at St Etienne before making his first team debut for the Ligue 1 side in 2018. However, Arsenal were quick to spot the 23-year-old's potential, snapping him up for the Emirates Stadium in a £27million deal the following year.

But Saliba's transition to north London wasn't smooth - he was loaned back to St Etienne for the 2019/20 season, then to Nice the next season. He spent the 2021/22 season with Marseille, before being recalled to Arsenal where he has since found his footing.

Under Mikel Arteta, the tough-tackling centre-half has racked up 92 appearances across all competitions and has been a key figure in their Premier League title challenges in recent seasons. However, Lazio midfielder Guendouzi - who played alongside Saliba at Marseille - has suggested that the Gunners star, now on Real Madrid's radar, will always hold a soft spot for the French club.

In a 2022 interview with Telefoot, ex-Arsenal star Guendouzi said: "William has OM now in his heart, and I'm sure he will return to Marseille next season. So I will try to push him again to stay with us," reports Football London. But a deal between the two clubs never materialised, with Saliba forcing his way into Arteta's squad for the 2022/23 campaign - where he has remained ever since.

Arsenal's young talent was crucial in the Gunners' second-place title bid last season, which finished in disappointment as they were beaten by just two points by Manchester City. Saliba has never claimed to be looking for a move away from Arsenal but in 2022 he did hint that he'd be open to returning to Marseille one day, saying: "It would be my pleasure to come back no matter what. It's not as if I know I'm not going to come back, it's Marseille, it's my club."

Saliba and Guendouzi shared their thoughts when his destiny at Arsenal was uncertain and before he'd stepped onto the pitch for them, and circumstances have since shifted. During his tenure at Marseille from 2021-2022, Saliba clocked up 36 Ligue 1 appearances, propelling the team to clinch the runners-up position behind PSG before returning to make his mark at the Emirates.

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Now firmly established under Arteta and having committed to a fresh contract extending to 2027, Saliba finds himself amidst rumours of a potential switch to Real Madrid next year. Madrid showed interest in Saliba in the most recent summer transfer window, amid issues with their first-choice defender Eder Militao's fitness troubles.

However, they never submitted an official bid, despite also losing out on Leny Yoro to Manchester United. Saliba rarely discusses his transfer plans but only last year expressed his desire to stay at Arsenal for a long time and win trophies so Madrid could be hard-pressed to try and get him to join.

Arteta and Edu also have no plans to let go of their star player. They're banking on his loyalty and crucial role in the team as they aim to outdo themselves this season and snatch the Premier League title from Manchester City.

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