Respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says he can “guarantee” that defender William Saliba is “100% focused” on Arsenal despite recent rumours about his future.

Reports in the French press over the past couple of days have claimed that Real Madrid have made the France international their top priority for next summer’s transfer window. Writing in his Daily Briefing column, Romano said Real are looking for a new centre-back but he is not party to any information that suggests the Spanish side are actively pursuing Saliba:

“I’m not aware of anything concrete at this stage [about a move] – all I know is that Saliba is fully focused on Arsenal, while Arsenal obviously also consider Saliba as a key part of their project, nothing else.”

“Real Madrid are exploring the centre-backs market since the Leny Yoro case last summer, as they missed out on his signature to Manchester United, but at the moment that’s it; nothing else into those Saliba stories and I can guarantee he’s 100% focused on Arsenal now.”

Real are believed to have contacted Saliba’s agents

Le 10 Sport have claimed that the European champions have discussed a potential transfer with the defender’s entourage.

Romano says he is not aware of any contact being made but he doesn’t flat-out deny it either so it is definitely something to keep an eye on.

Saliba committed his future to Arsenal not that long ago

It is not the first time that the Frenchman has been linked with a transfer away from the Emirates but he did sign a new contract only last year, keeping him with the Gunners until the end of the 2026/2027 campaign.

Of course, as we have seen with others in the past, Real Madrid can turn a player’s head, but Saliba knows that his current team possess massive potential and could win multiple titles in the not-too-distant future.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here