William Saliba Lowers Salary Demands to Push for Real Madrid Move This Summer

William Saliba is making headlines across Europe as he reportedly takes a bold step to push for a long-desired move to Real Madrid. The French international centre-back is said to be willing to lower his salary expectations in order to make the switch happen during the current transfer window—a gesture that could significantly accelerate negotiations between Madrid and Arsenal.

Real Madrid have been monitoring Saliba’s development for several seasons, identifying him as a long-term successor to their ageing defensive core. Despite already reinforcing their defence with young prospect Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, the Spanish giants are still seeking an elite, ready-made centre-back who can command their backline for years. Saliba fits that profile perfectly.

The urgency to sign another top-tier defender reportedly stems from Real Madrid’s recent performances in high-stakes matches, particularly during the Club World Cup, where lapses in defence cost them dearly. Manager Carlo Ancelotti and club president Florentino Pérez are now said to be in alignment regarding the need for immediate reinforcements—making this summer the ideal window to act.

While Madrid initially pencilled in a possible move for Saliba in the summer of 2026, closer to the final year of his current Arsenal deal, Marca reports that the 24-year-old’s willingness to compromise on wages could bring the timeline forward by a full year. This change of stance has caught the attention of Madrid’s board and opened the door to what could be one of the most high-profile defensive transfers in recent memory.

Saliba’s contract with Arsenal runs until 2027, but his refusal to sign an extension despite being offered improved terms suggests a potential readiness to move on. Arsenal now face a dilemma: cash in on a highly valuable asset while his market value is at its peak, or risk holding on to an increasingly unsettled player who has set his sights on the Santiago Bernabéu.

Florentino Pérez, known for pulling off blockbuster deals, has reportedly given the green light for Madrid to pursue Saliba aggressively. If negotiations proceed, the Frenchman could command a fee in excess of €90 million—potentially breaking the world-record transfer fee for a defender, currently held by Manchester United’s signing of Harry Maguire for €87 million.

Reports from RMC Sport add further credibility to Madrid’s interest, confirming that the club is prepared to go “all in” to secure Saliba’s signature. The admiration from Madrid’s hierarchy is not new—Saliba has been on their radar since his breakout season in Ligue 1, and his growth under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal has only strengthened their conviction.

Since arriving at Arsenal in 2019 for £27 million from Saint-Étienne, Saliba has gone from a promising youngster to a mainstay in one of the Premier League’s most solid defences. After successful loan spells in France, he returned to Arsenal in 2022 and has since played a vital role in back-to-back top-two league finishes, pushing Manchester City to the wire in both campaigns.

Internationally, Saliba has blossomed into one of France’s most dependable defenders. He was a crucial figure in their run to the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals and part of the squad that finished runners-up at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With 28 international caps and counting, his pedigree at both club and country level is unquestionable.

His partnership with Gabriel Magalhães at Arsenal is widely regarded as one of the best in England, and losing him would represent a major strategic blow to Arteta’s project. However, if the player is no longer fully committed, Arsenal may be forced to consider offers—especially those nearing or exceeding the €90 million mark.

Sources close to Saliba suggest that the player views Real Madrid as a “dream destination” and that he is enticed not only by the opportunity to compete for LaLiga titles and Champions League trophies but also to follow in the footsteps of legendary French defenders like Raphaël Varane and Zinédine Zidane, who built iconic legacies at the club.

As the transfer window heats up, the next few weeks could prove pivotal. If Madrid formalize their interest and Arsenal are open to negotiation, William Saliba might just become the next Galáctico. His willingness to accept a reduced salary demonstrates just how far he’s willing to go to make this move a reality.

While nothing is final yet, the momentum appears to be building fast. If Madrid do land Saliba this summer, it won’t just be a statement of intent for the upcoming season—it could be a generational signing that reshapes their defence for the next decade.