Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit made the move from North London to La Liga in 2000, and has warned Saliba about making the same decision.
William Saliba has been subject to several reports which all say that Real Madrid want to sign him. This has become more meaningful after Arsenal beat Los Blancos in the Champions League quarter-final to set up a semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Gunners are very keen to keep hold of the Frenchman who has developed a special centre-back pairing with Gabriel, who is injured for the remainder of the season.
Nevertheless, the reports linking Saliba with a move to Madrid are still about, and it has been said that the La Liga giants would have to fork out over £77m in order to sign him, which would make the 23-year-old the most expensive defender in history.
However, ex-Arsenal defender Emmanuel Petit has experience from leaving Arsenal for La Liga, as he went to Barcelona in 2000. He has warned Saliba not to make the move.
He told Standard Sport: “William Saliba is enjoying his time at Arsenal so far, he loves the way Arsenal plays and has become a different kind of player. He’s now with the France national team because of what he has done with Arsenal.
“If he goes to Real Madrid, it’s another story. I have experienced that. When I left Arsenal, I was loved by the fans. When I went to Barcelona, it was a blank page, a new story that I had to write. I had to forget what I had done in the past and deliver with a new club.”
“It will be the same with Saliba. I can understand that it could be a dream for a player to sign for the best club in the world. But the grass is not really greener outside.”
Arsenal confident of new Saliba contract
Amid all the suggestions that Saliba could leave Arsenal and join Real Madrid, reports have been circulating that say the Gunners are in talks with the defender over a new contract to keep him at the Emirates.
Saliba’s current deal is due to expire in 2027, meaning that if he did want to leave, they would likely sell him in one of the next two transfer windows.
However, according to The Boot Room, Arsenal are confident that Saliba will sign a new deal with the Gunners, due to the development of the team in pushing for Premier League and Champions League titles under Mikel Arteta.
