William Saliba reportedly considers Real Madrid his “ultimate dream club”, with Arsenal valuing the 23-year-old French international at €100 million.

According to a report by Sacha Tavolieri on Sky Sport Switzerland, William Saliba is the subject of interest from Real Madrid.

The reigning La Liga champions have recently held talks with the Arsenal defensive mainstay’s representatives. Meanwhile, the French international considers Los Blancos as his “ultimate dream club”, with the North London club valuing him at €100 million.

William Saliba has established himself as one of the best defenders in the world since breaking into the first-team squad at Arsenal. The Frenchman did not immediately get the desired opportunities at the Emirates, with the North London club sending him out on three loan spells.

However, the 23-year-old has not looked back since establishing a foothold in the first-team squad at the Emirates. Saliba has turned out over 100 times thus far for Arsenal while chipping in with seven goals and two assists.

Meanwhile, the French international defender’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs across Europe. Widespread reports have heavily linked Real Madrid with the former US Saint-Etienne centre-back, with the two parties recently holding tentative talks. Meanwhile, Arsenal will demand around €100 million to entertain parting ways with him.

Real Madrid’s interest in William Saliba is understandable. The reigning La Liga champions are desperately scouring the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window after spending two seasons without most out-and-out central defenders. The crisis has deepened this term, with Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, and David Alaba currently on the sidelines.

In addition, Carlo Ancelotti does not trust Jesus Vallejo, who will likely depart from the Santiago Bernabeu after the 2024/25 season ends. So, Real Madrid must sign a centre-back in the summer transfer window, with Saliba emerging as a viable target. However, Arsenal’s asking price of around €100 million might pose a problem, considering the Merengues need reinforcement in several other departments.

Meanwhile, the French international views Real Madrid as his “ultimate dream club”, although he might not push for a departure from the Emirates anytime soon. In addition, widespread reports have claimed that Arsenal will block Real Madrid and other suitors from pursuing the 23-year-old Frenchman. So, a summer deal might not see the light of day.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted it was his decision to “take the risk” of not securing additional signings in the January transfer window, despite squad concerns.

The Red Devils completed only two signings: left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce and centre-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.

However, the loan exits of Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa and Antony to Real Betis left United without reinforcement in attack.

“We are taking a risk, but we want a different thing in the team, different profiles. It was my decision to do that,” Amorim explained.

He emphasized the club’s cautious approach: “Everybody here does not want to make the same mistakes of the past. In the summer we will see, but we are being really careful with transfers because we did some mistakes in the past.”

United face Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, where Dorgu and Heaven could debut.

Acknowledging the pressure of results, Amorim admitted, “This is a sport of results, and we are in a difficult situation… but I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks because in the end, it’s going to pay off.”