Real Madrid are prepared to test Arsenal's resolve over keeping William Saliba in 2025.
Los Blancos are rumoured to be prioritising a new central defender for the 2025/26 campaign and Saliba is an option despite his importance to the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta's side have come up short to Manchester City in the last two Premier League titles races and Saliba is a key part of his plan to try and overtake Pep Guardiola this season.
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That will make any move from Madrid difficult as Carlo Ancelotti plans for the long-term beyond Antonio Rudiger.
William Saliba's Arsenal contract, transfer value
Saliba originally joined Arsenal in 2019, from French side Saint-Etienne, before being loaned back to the Ligue 1 club for the 2019/20 season.
The France international then spent the following two campaigns back on loan in France, at Nice and Marseille, before becoming part of Arteta's plans at the start of 2022/23.
From there, Saliba has formed a rock solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes, as the base of Arteta's Arsenal team.
His current deal runs until June 2027, with no break clause, and Arsenal are rumoured to be working on a renewal until 2030.
Can Real Madrid sign William Saliba?
Ancelotti has two realistic options over his interest in Saliba, as per French outlet Le10 Sport, with contact already made with the player's representatives.
Saliba's close relationship with the multiple French stars in Ancelotti's squad is another pull factor for the La Liga champions with Kylian Mbappe joining Aurlien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy and Eduardo Camavinga over the summer.
Arsenal will look to block any potential transfer offer, with the 23-year-old's value set at around £80m ($105m), or alternatively, Real Madrid could lay the early ground work for a future free transfer.
