Arsenal must challenge for the Champions League to prevent William Saliba from leaving for Real Madrid.
That’s according to former Chelsea, Aston Villa and Marseille striker Tony Cascarino, who believes Saliba is already capable of breaking into Los Blancos’ starting line-up.
Saliba has become one of Mikel Arteta’s key players in recent years, starring in the chorus of arsenaldefense as they have finished second behind Manchester City two years in a row.
The France international hasn’t let up this season either, helping the Gunners maintain the Premier League’s joint-best defensive record after seven games, conceding just six goals and remaining unbeaten.
Unsurprisingly, Saliba is heavily linked with fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid.
How can Arsenal keep William Saliba away from Real Madrid?
Arsenal are understood to be calm about the future of Salibawith the defender under contract at the Emirates Stadium until the summer of 2027.
However, Real Madrid has informed already made the first contact with the Londoners looking to lure the 23-year-old to the Santiago Bernabéu.
According to Cascarino, Arsenal must establish themselves as Champions League rivals if they are to keep Saliba out of Real Madrid’s hands.
“There are vultures in football hanging around football clubs all the time and trying to get their best players,” Cascarino said. talkSPORT.
“There is no greater vulture than Real Madrid; if you’re being chased, there’s a good chance it will happen.
“It’s not just convincing the player, but the agents getting involved and the appeal of Real Madrid.
“Look, winning and being successful is a good way to keep players, it really is.
“Arsenal have to get it because Saliba is playing at the level of a Real Madrid player, but he has to be convinced that Arsenal will be a winning and successful team.
“They have to be a challenge to win the Champions League because that’s what Real Madrid often do.”
Cascarino continued: “I think everyone is replaceable to some degree.
“We are talking about a super high level and once Real Madrid are interested in you, you know that this is the team that most often wins the Champions League.
“When they chase you, Arsenal have a problem.
“He just signed a five-year deal about a year ago, so they’ve got him tied down for quite a while, but they might have to throw him another new deal to try and keep him for even longer.
“It will be a problem but this is great for Arsenal as a football club because it shows that they are successful because a club like Real Madrid want one of their players.”
