Real Madrid coach sets sights on €90 million-rated Arsenal defender | OneFootball

If the 2023-24 campaign has taught Real Madrid one lesson, it is that their depth at centre-back is not sufficient.

Burdened to handle most of the season without two defenders, Carlo Ancelotti and Co. are looking to recruit a new name in the department come June.

Considering Nacho Fernandez’s almost certain departure from the Spanish capital, the need for a new centre-half is only amplified.

The candidate in England

Real Madrid have been linked with several centre-backs in recent months, with Leny Yoro emerging as one of the favourites to arrive in the Spanish capital.

According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, however, Carlo Ancelotti is interested in Arsenal defender William Saliba.

At 23 years of age, the Frenchman is one of the pillars of Mikel Arteta’s project and comes off as an option who boats both youth and the right amount of experience.

Saliba on Ancelotti’s radars. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

The only downside to his pursuit, however, is that Saliba’s contract in England runs until the summer of 2027. His market value stands at close to €90 million, and Arsenal do not intend to even contemplate a sale at this point.

The Premier League giants, in fact, are even planning a contract renewal for the French star, making him an unreal target despite Ancelotti’s admiration.

Returning from loan

While Saliba may not be a realistic target for Real Madrid, the men in white are guaranteed to be boosted by the return of Rafa Marin next month.

On loan at Deportivo Alaves for a year, the 21-year-old Castilla star has established himself as a regular in the league’s 11th-placed team and has overseen seven clean sheets in the process.

Further, he averages close to ten defensive actions and 3.7 ball recoveries per game.

Marin’s place under Carlo Ancelotti may well depend on the team’s ability to bring in a high-quality defender this summer. Purely based on merit, however, the youngster is well-equipped to fill the existing void.