The transfer market is always full of surprises. This time, the name causing a stir in Real Madrid's offices is William Saliba.
Although Madrid already has young players like Raúl Asencio and the return of David Alaba, they are still looking for a center-back to strengthen their defense. This center-back has a particularity: he is none other than one of the most desired players by Kylian Mbappé.
The Defensive Reinforcement Madrid Needs
Real Madrid has worked for months to strengthen their defensive line, although initially, with the emergence of Asencio and the recovery of Alaba, the urgency has decreased. Florentino Pérez's idea is clear: to find a center-back who complements Antonio Rüdiger and the rest of the team.
The difficulty lies in what Carlos Carpio said: "When Madrid enters the market, they know they're going to get squeezed." Madrid not only has to deal with competition from other European giants, but negotiations are often more difficult when the player has a high market value.
Kylian Mbappé's Influence
One of the big surprises of this story is that Kylian Mbappé would be involved in the request for William Saliba's signing. The French forward, known for his keen eye for talent, would have pointed to Saliba as an ideal reinforcement for the club. Mbappé believes that Saliba would bring solidity and quality to Madrid's defense, something key to remaining competitive in Europe.
Florentino Pérez, after hearing his star's recommendation, seems to have given his approval to the operation. Although it's not official, the interest in Saliba is real, and a price of 80 million euros is being discussed.
A Complicated but Possible Signing
William Saliba, at just 23 years old, has proven to be one of the most promising defenders in Europe. His excellent season with Arsenal has attracted the attention of several top-tier clubs. Despite this, Real Madrid doesn't plan to make an extravagant expenditure without first attempting to negotiate.
The price of 80 million euros, which seems to be the cost of the operation, will not be an impediment for Madrid if they finally decide to take the step. However, as in many operations, the key will be in the timing and the ability of the executives to handle the negotiations.
The Competition for Saliba
Saliba is not just a target for Real Madrid. Other Premier League clubs and major European teams are closely following his development. Kylian Mbappé's support for the signing gives Madrid an advantage, as he is one of the most influential players in the world.
If Madrid finally decides on Saliba, they could be closing one of the most interesting operations of the market.