Arsenal mainstay ready to make financial sacrifice to join Real Madrid – report | OneFootball

A new central defender seems to have become a priority for Real Madrid in recent weeks, despite the addition of Dean Huijsen last month.

There are concerns over the fitness situations of a number of current defenders, considering David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Eder Militao are all returning from serious injuries.

Raul Asencio enjoyed his breakthrough last campaign, but his performances at the FIFA Club World Cup left a lot to be desired.

As such, a new centre-back is back on the agenda at Real Madrid, with Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Arsenal ace William Saliba being seen as potential targets.

Saliba open to Real Madrid switch

Now, according to MARCA, William Saliba may be willing to make a financial effort to facilitate a move from Arsenal to Real Madrid this summer.

The 24-year-old defender’s signing would be a large-scale operation, complicated and costly on all fronts.

William Saliba is a target for Real Madrid. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

After all, the Arsenal centre-back has two years remaining on his contract, meaning negotiations would be shaped by different leverage from both sides.

Initially, Real Madrid wanted to wait until Saliba entered the final year of his contract to make a move. But given the circumstances, they are prepared to fast-track his arrival.

And, if the report is to be believed, the French international would be willing to make some financial efforts from his side to make the switch happen.

This comes on the back of reports earlier in the week suggesting that Saliba was not keen on signing a new contract with Arsenal, who want to hand him a long-term deal until 2032.

Either way, a move for Saliba, this summer, would be an expensive affair, and it remains to be seen if Real Madrid are prepared to go all out for the Frenchman.