Real Madrid escaped a Celta Vigo ambush with a crucial win ahead of El Clásico in the next round of La Liga at Montjuïc Stadium.
Real Madrid hosted Celta with the aim of securing a victory to restore their four-point lead over Barcelona and maintain their hopes of winning the La Liga title this season. They ultimately succeeded with a 3-2 victory.
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper Defensa Central, Kylian Mbappé is excited about the prospect of his compatriot and close friend William Saliba joining Real Madrid. The strong bond between the two French stars, who grew up in the same neighborhood, could play a positive role in facilitating the transfer, which Florentino Pérez is closely monitoring.
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Although Arsenal is reluctant to let Saliba go, Real Madrid knows that any bid for him will not be less than €75 million in the summer of 2025, with the possibility of making an offer still open. Despite the complexities of the deal, Saliba remains one of the top names on the Santiago Bernabéu’s wishlist.
Despite Marco Asensio’s recent emergence as a viable option in defense, which has eased some of the pressure on the club’s management, Real Madrid is still working to secure the future of its backline—especially with the impending departure of key players like Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba. Consequently, the club’s scouting department is actively monitoring several promising defensive options, with Saliba being the preferred choice.
The French defender possesses exceptional technical and physical attributes: he is fast, strong, and tactically mature. However, the biggest obstacle is his contract with Arsenal, which runs until 2027, along with his high market value—over €80 million—which gives the London club a strong negotiating position.
Expectations suggest that the summer of 2026 will be the most appropriate time to negotiate for Saliba’s signing, especially if he has not renewed his contract with Arsenal. At that point, Real Madrid will be ready to enter serious talks, potentially repeating the scenario that played out with Alexander-Arnold. However, it will all depend on the player’s desire to join the royal project and his confidence in the club’s long-term plans.
Florentino Pérez aims to strengthen Real Madrid’s squad with the best players to ensure the club’s continued dominance over the next decade. Saliba is an ideal fit for this project, as the club’s management believes the French national team’s central defender will be excited by the prospect of wearing the white shirt and joining a team that includes some of the world’s best players.
