Arsenal training with William Saliba, Victor Gyoker, Miles Lewis Skelly and Mikel Merino (Photo: Alex Panling/Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reportedly played a key role in signing William Saliba, instead of moving to Real Madrid, staying on the new contract.
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking with a man from Blazers on YouTube, Gunners boss was completely involved in the club’s job as Saliba tries to violate his future with the North London giant.
Romano revealed that Real Madrid really wanted Saliba.
Currently, France International is staying at Arsenal, and Romano offers insight into how they can keep him.
William Saliba’s Fabrizio Romano is staying at Arsenal despite his interest in transferring to Real Madrid
In an episode focused on Arsenal, Romano praised the club’s recent work and at one point spoke specifically about Saliba.
“In this case, with Arsenal, the great news is to keep Saliba down, but closing this incident immediately at the end of September is a special thing to start October,” Romano said.
“What’s special is that every media rumor has problems with all speculation and all possibilities.
“Real Madrid wanted William Saliba. Real Madrid saw William Saliba as a potential target for the future. They were clearly unable to do that with two years remaining on his contract and they never wanted Arsenal to entertain the negotiations and discussions, so they never began negotiating or concrete talks.
“However, internal negotiations and discussions at Real Madrid Saliba have always been mentioned as one of the potential goals if Arsenal doesn’t extend the contract.
“We are always here, and Real Madrid considers Saliba to be defender Bellingham, but the ball is in the Arsenal court.
“Saliba really wanted to stay. Arteta was completely involved in the process, talking directly with the players and bringing him behind the scenes of what they wanted to do not only for the present but for the future.
“And I think Arsenal sold this kind of project to William Saliba, and the financial proposals they improved at the end of August to persuade William Saliba also made a clear difference.”
Arsenal, which keeps Saliba, is a big boost
Needless to say, Saliba is one of the most incredible centre-backs in the world, a key part of Arsenal’s recent rise, once again becoming a serious Premier League title challenger.
Gunner truly declined under Arsen Wenger in the second half of his reign, but Unai Emery proved an unwise appointment after the longtime Frenchman.
But Arteta turns things around and after some loan spells proved to be masterstrokes, including Saliba in their first team plan for 2022/23.