Real Madrid has reportedly identified a key Arsenal player as their top summer target.
Los Blancos are known to be preparing for a significant acquisition of Premier League talent, having been linked with several players in recent months.
Their interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold has intensified this month, and securing Rodri is considered an aspirational goal.
In September, The Independent reported that Cristian Romero and William Saliba were on a four-man shortlist, along with those names.
Now, French outlet Le10Sport claims Saliba has been elevated to Madrid’s top priority, with the club already making initial contact with his representatives.
According to Le10Sport, Carlo Ancelotti’s team is close to launching a “major operation” to bring the defender to Madrid.
Since 2022, Saliba has been a crucial part of Arsenal’s defence, playing every minute of the 2023-24 season in one of the Premier League’s most solid defensive lines. His partnership with Gabriel is considered by some as one of the best in the world.
Madrid has admired Saliba for some time, having shown interest during his loan spell at Marseille in the 2021-22 season.
Last year, Saliba signed a new contract with Arsenal until 2027, reportedly worth £10 million per season, meaning Arsenal would likely demand significant financial compensation before parting ways with him.
Madrid hasn’t made a major defensive investment since 2019, when they spent around £47 million on Ferland Mendy, according to Sky Sports.
They have been successful in acquiring players like Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba on free transfers, and they could aim for the same with Alexander-Arnold this summer. However, their pursuit of Saliba signals a potential shift in strategy.
