‘Arsenal’s Saliba stance could spell trouble for Liverpool amid Real Madrid interest’

However, that form has brought inevitable links to Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants understood to be keen admirers of the French centre-back.

The pull of Real Madrid can often feel inevitable, but Arsenal look set to dig in when it comes to keeping Saliba as they attempt to end their long title drought and build a dynasty.

Arsenal digging in on William Saliba

Former Premier League scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in February that Real Madrid are likely to make a move for Saliba.

But Brown has now also insisted that Arsenal will dig in when it comes to keeping Saliba, who they wish to tie down to a new contract.

“It’s no secret Real Madrid have been looking at Saliba,” Brown told Football Insider.

“We know they want to strengthen at the back, and they’ve never been afraid to wait if it means they can get a better deal with his contract running down.

“From Arsenal’s point of view, there’s no way they’ll be willing to let him go.

“I expect they’ll be doing everything in their power to deter that interest from Madrid.

“I’ve said it before, players often find it very difficult to turn down Real Madrid if an offer arrives.

“But Arsenal want Saliba to stay and be a crucial part of what Mikel Arteta is building there, because they want to win the Premier League and Champions League.

“If it’s a new contract, then they’ll be working on that, trying to tie him down.

“He’s too important for them to lose, whether it’s now or in a couple of years, he’s the type of player they’re going to keep building the team around.”

Real Madrid’s Saliba failure could spell trouble for Liverpool

Saliba isn’t the only French centre-back Real Madrid have their eye on.

Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed on Sunday (20 July) that Los Blancos are preparing a £25million lowball offer for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.

Konate has just one year remaining on his contract at Anfield, and while £25m is nowhere near what the Reds want for the defender, Real Madrid are keenly aware that they can start directly negotiating with him in January and wish to exploit Liverpool‘s anxiety about the situation.

Liverpool will likely be praying Madrid can make a breakthrough in their pursuit of Saliba, with any failure there surely only serving to embolden them in their push for Konate.

Arne Slot has been well-backed this summer, with Hugo Ekitike set to join Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez through the door to build a formidable title defence.

However, losing Konate would certainly serve to undermine those efforts — even if they succeed in their efforts to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

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