Florentino Pérez won't settle for just anything to strengthen the center-back position: He wants the best one possible. Many names have been on his desk in recent months, but the reality is he's chosen the ideal defender for Madrid. We're talking about William Saliba from Arsenal, whose price exceeds 80 million euros and whose departure seems really complicated.
A few months ago, Arsenal already rejected an offer close to 100 million euros, but Florentino Pérez is ready to take him. SPORT has discovered that Real Madrid has already scouted William Saliba's camp, receiving a positive reply to a possible transfer. He is under contract until 2027 and the idea is to get the French center-back to request a transfer to be able to leave.
Saliba has a relationship with several players in the Real Madrid locker room, including Mbappé. They would be delighted to share a locker room again, and the plan is clear: trying to get him by next summer. It won't be easy, but Florentino Pérez has set the plan in motion: two players will leave to facilitate William Saliba's arrival.
Florentino Closes Two Sales at Real Madrid to Sign His Desired Center-Back
To facilitate William Saliba's arrival, the president of Madrid has prepared two significant departures, trying to raise money to pay for his transfer. The first to leave will be Ferland Mendy, whose future points to Saudi Arabia. The plan is to get around 40 million, getting rid of his high salary and replacing him with a free agent full-back.
On the other hand, the idea also involves definitively transferring Tchouaméni. He is valued at about 80 million euros, and the market will be explored to try to sell him. Between his departure and Mendy's, Florentino intends for Madrid's coffers to be filled with more than 100 million euros. He is trying to go all in for Saliba.
It won't be easy because, although William Saliba wants to play at Real Madrid, he doesn't want to start a war with Arsenal. He is happy there, although it's true that he believes he could increase his cachet and level at Santiago Bernabéu.
Florentino is clear: William Saliba is the chosen one and he's willing to pay a lot of money to get him. He would achieve an unbelievable team in the center-back position, making this a strategic transfer.