William Saliba hints he could leave Arsenal amid ‘tempting’ Real Madrid interest

Though he made it clear that his immediate priority is to achieve success with Arsenal.

The French international, who has become a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta’s defensive setup, recently signed a long-term contract extension with the Gunners, committing himself to the club until 2030.

This deal was seen as a major statement by Arsenal, reinforcing their ambition to build a title-winning squad around young, elite talent.

Despite this commitment, Real Madrid have reportedly maintained a strong interest in acquiring the 24-year-old defender.

The club, known for targeting top-tier talent across Europe, has not been shy about its admiration for Saliba, who has consistently impressed with his composure, physicality, and tactical intelligence.

While Saliba emphasized his dedication to Arsenal’s current project, he did not dismiss the possibility of a future move.

In an interview with the French television program Telefoot, he was asked directly about the prospect of joining Madrid. Saliba conceded: “Of course, it’s always tempting when a club like that makes a move.

“But for me, my desire was to stay at Arsenal. First, win trophies, before thinking about anything else.”

His use of the word “trophies” rather than “a trophy” suggests that he is aiming for multiple pieces of silverware before considering any transfer.

This nuance may raise concerns among some Arsenal supporters, especially given the club’s strong position in both domestic and European competitions this season.

Arsenal are currently among the leading contenders for the Premier League title and are viewed as serious challengers for their first-ever Champions League crown.

If Saliba were to eventually make the switch to Madrid, he would be joining a growing contingent of French internationals already thriving at the Bernabeu.

The current squad includes Kylian Mbappe, Aurelian Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy—all of whom are integral to Xabi Alonso’s team, which currently sits five points clear at the top of La Liga after 11 matches.

Saliba also shares a personal connection with Mbappe, as the two were teammates at AS Bondy during their early teenage years.

Their friendship dates back to when they were just 12 years old, and both have since risen to prominence in world football.

When asked if a reunion with Mbappe at club level could be on the horizon, Saliba responded: “No, no, the Bondy connection is with the French national team, for now.”