100 million euros wouldn't buy Saliba.

In the world of football, not many central defenders are considered irreplaceable treasures, but William Saliba is a rare exception.

At the age of 24, Saliba was already considered one of the world's top central defenders.

Arsenal, under manager Mikel Arteta, are determined to build a "steel wall" around the French player to avoid interest from Real Madrid.

Real Madrid is renowned for making deals that shake up the transfer market. They have signed outstanding central defenders like Sergio Ramos and Eder Militão to create a legendary defense. But when they turned their attention to Saliba, the Spanish giants encountered an even tougher obstacle than on the pitch – the unwavering determination of Arsenal.

At 24, Saliba was already considered one of the world's top central defenders, on par with Cubarsi (18 years old, Barcelona) and Bastoni (26 years old, Inter Milan), each valued at around 80 million euros. However, for Arsenal, that figure was just the beginning. "Even 100 million euros wouldn't be enough to open the door for Saliba," was the message Arteta and the Arsenal board sent.

When Arsenal spent €30 million to sign Saliba from Saint-Etienne in 2019, many considered it a gamble. Saliba was still just a promising talent, lacking experience.

But Arteta patiently allowed him to "hone" through loan spells at Nice and Marseille. Upon returning to the Premier League, Saliba not only proved himself worthy but also became one of the best modern center-backs – strong, intelligent, and incredibly confident on the ball.

What sets Saliba apart is his incredible consistency.

What sets Saliba apart is his incredible consistency. He rarely suffers injuries and maintains high performance throughout the season. Saliba's excellence was most evident in the 2024/25 Champions League, when he neutralized Real Madrid's attack in the quarter-finals, except for one slip-up against Vinicius.

Saliba is not just a player; he embodies the ambition Arsenal is pursuing in the Arteta era. The club proactively extended his contract and increased his salary to over €11 million per season in 2023. This figure may not match that of attacking stars like Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Rice, Odegaard, or Saka, but it's clear Arsenal is placing Saliba at the heart of their long-term plans.

In reality, Arsenal is no longer the "frugal spender" it once was. From Rice to Havertz, from Raya to Timber, they all demonstrate a grand strategy: building a squad strong enough to compete on equal footing with Man City and other European giants. Saliba is the solid foundation for that ambition.

Manager Arteta once stated: "I'm sure William will stay, because he's very happy here." For Arteta, Saliba is not only a good center-back but also someone who provides absolute reassurance for his ball-possession and high-pressing style of play. Arsenal understands that losing Saliba would be like losing half their defensive strength.

Despite Saliba's contract having only two years remaining, Arsenal shows no signs of worry. On the contrary, they are planning to negotiate a super-long-term contract to keep him at Emirates during the peak of his career.

William Saliba is not only one of the best central defenders in the Premier League today, but also a symbol of Arsenal's ambition to reach European heights. When Real Madrid were forced to back down, it was not just a victory in the transfer market, but also a confirmation: Arsenal are now ready to defend their "priceless assets".

Source: https://znews.vn/100-trieu-euro-khong-mua-duoc-saliba-post1571768.html