Uh oh: Real Madrid now eyeing shock move for "excellent" £27m Arsenal star

Real Madrid are now eyeing a shock move for an “excellent” Arsenal star, alongside William Saliba, according to a report.

Saliba prepared to join Real Madrid

Trent Alexander Arnold’s recent made the big decision to leave boyhood club Liverpool to join Real Madrid, underlining the pull the European giants have in the transfer market, and it has now been revealed that Saliba would also be willing to make the move to the Spanish capital.

The La Liga side have made contact over a deal for the Frenchman, as they are eager for the 24-year-old to be the new leader of their backline, and he would be keen on a move to the Bernabeu, with Real the only club he would be willing to leave the Gunners for.

Of course, Mikel Arteta’s side are eager to keep hold of the France international, and they are looking to extend his contract beyond 2027, but the centre-back is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

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There will be concern that Saliba could be in line for a move to Spain, but the defender is not the only Arsenal player of interest to Real Madrid, with a report from The Sun revealing they are also eyeing a shock move for goalkeeper David Raya.

The Spanish giants are keen to bring in a long-term heir to Thibaut Courtois, and Raya has been identified as a potential target, but it could be difficult to get a deal for the Spaniard over the line, perhaps because he remains contracted until 2028.

As such, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen could be brought in instead, having also been identified as a long-term successor to Courtois.

“Excellent” Raya remains key player for Arteta

Raya eventually arrived at the Emirates Stadium for £27m in July 2024, having previously spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan in north London, at which point he was able to displace Aaron Ramsdale in the starting XI.

Since then, the 29-year-old has remained a key player for Arteta, collecting 12 clean sheets in the Premier League this season, the second-highest number in the top flight, while also ranking highly across a number of key goalkeeping metrics over the past year.

Not only that, but the Spanish shot-stopper has caught the eye of reporter Ben Jacobs at times, having been lauded as “excellent” following an impressive performance in the 2-2 draw against Manchester City earlier this season.

As such, Arsenal should not consider selling Raya under any circumstances, and it is good news that it will be difficult for Real Madrid to get a deal done, despite their interest.