Latest on Saliba-Real Madrid links after Rudiger comments | OneFootball

William Saliba isn’t on the way to Real Madrid despite Antonio Rudiger’s recent comments about him, according to a report.

LONDON, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal goes for a header with Jamie Vardy of Leicester during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City FC at Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger riled up some Arsenal fans by calling for his current club to sign William Saliba in a recent interview.

“I would sign William Saliba,” Rudiger said. “If you see Arsenal, like the two centre backs who are playing together, they are doing since two years now, they’re doing an amazing job.

“Like the transformation from Arsenal…those two are the pillar of it.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates at full-time during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Yet Fabrizio Romano reports that there’s nothing to suggest Saliba is on the way to Spain.

Saliba reportedly never considered a move away from Arsenal this summer, and there are no talks ongoing with any other club.

The defender still has a few years left on his Gunners contract, and the admiration from Rudiger is nothing more than a compliment.

Saliba is happy at Arsenal, and the club are happy with him. The plan is to keep him around for the long term.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Gabriel and William Saliba of Arsenal speak during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Saliba has a contract with Arsenal until 2027, and you’d think the club will want to extend that stay as soon as the player is open to hold talks. At 23, he should still have many years left at the top.

But for the next couple of years at least, there should be no debate over the defender’s future.