Arsenal: Mikel Arteta drops major hint on William Saliba's future amid Real Madrid interest

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·2 mai 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta drops major hint on William Saliba's future amid Real Madrid interest

Gunners defender is approaching the final two years of his contract and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid

Saliba has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, who are on the hunt for a new centre-back this summer.

The Spanish side have also been linked with Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen, but they are tracking Saliba, too.

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The Frenchman will have two years left on his Arsenal contract at the end of this season and the Gunners want him to sign fresh terms.

And asked about interest from Real Madrid and the threat of Saliba leaving this summer, Arteta said: “I leave those kind of things more for [Arsenal sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to talk about.

“What I’m certain, because I had a conversation with him, that he’s so happy here, that he wants to continue with us, and what will happen in the future. Obviously it’s our negotiations and things that have to take time and process and [we have to] be on top of them.

“But I’m quite confident that William is very happy here and that’s the place that he wants to be.”

He’s so happy here, that he wants to continue with us, and what will happen in the future

Mikel Arteta

Saliba has become a key cog of Arsenal’s defence over the past three seasons and he revealed last month that he is settled at the club.

“For me, I’m really happy here,” he said. “I’ve been here for two years and a half as well. There is nothing. I’m happy here and I want to continue here.

“I want to win big things with Arsenal. If you leave this club without winning anything the fans will forget about you. I want to win big things here.”

“I want to be one day the best defender in the world. I know I have to work a lot and to win trophies as well - but that’s my dream.

“I think I am not so far, but I am not the best at the moment because, for me, this season I have not been so good. I have to review my season, I have to work on my game.

William Saliba is enjoying another strong season for Arsenal

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“But this season, I have not been so good. I have to watch especially my partner, Gabriel, who has been so, so good this season. There are a few [defenders better than me], but of course I have to focus on myself and work more.

“My concentration [I need to improve], I have to score more and help my team more to win trophies.

“When you win trophies, you can say you’re the best. We didn’t win and this season I have not helped my team a lot to win trophies but we are still in the Champions League, the Premier League is not finished. So I have to push, to demand more of myself to help my team.”