According to sources close to the Spanish newspaper Defensa Central, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is planning a move to sign French midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, a player who has long been admired by Real Madrid fans. However, the Gunners are not approaching the deal empty-handed, they intend to offer defender William Saliba, whom Real Madrid has been tracking for some time, as part of a potential swap.
Arsenal is aware that Real Madrid has been closely monitoring Saliba, particularly following growing speculation and due to the fact that the defender has established himself as one of the top players in his position worldwide. The advancing age and physical issues of both David Alaba and Antonio Rüdiger have made Real Madrid increasingly open to the idea of signing a new center-back, despite reports suggesting there are no immediate plans to do so.
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However, a major obstacle remains: Aurélien Tchouaméni does not wish to leave Real Madrid. He is happy at the club and feels he still has much to contribute. Aware that he has yet to reach his full potential, he is determined to continue developing over the coming seasons. His current contract runs until June 30, 2028.
At present, and following his strong recent performances, Real Madrid considers Tchouaméni untouchable and is unwilling to entertain any offers for his transfer. Moreover, he is the only natural defensive midfielder in the squad, aside from Eduardo Camavinga, whose positional play is less reliable. Still, in football, nothing is ever completely ruled out, especially if the player’s stance changes.
Arsenal, for their part, are unlikely to back down easily. They will make every effort to convince Tchouaméni to join their project. Meanwhile, Real Madrid continues to monitor William Saliba’s situation closely, and he could become a viable transfer target in the summer of 2026 or 2027, particularly if he fails to renew his current contract.
Should the opportunity arise, Real Madrid is expected to move quickly to sign Saliba, as the club believes he has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the world in the coming years. If Arsenal decides to sell him at a reasonable price, the Spanish giants will be ready to act. The player himself is believed to be open to the idea of joining Real Madrid, given his admiration for the club and the presence of several French compatriots, including Kylian Mbappé, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Ferland Mendy.
The key issue now is the renewal of his contract with Arsenal. The club is making significant efforts to secure his long-term future, as his current deal runs until 2027. If no agreement is reached, Arsenal may be forced to put him on the market next summer to avoid the risk of losing him for free.
