Overview

• Real Madrid has floated trading winger Rodrygo for Arsenal centre-back William Saliba to shore up its central defence.
• President Florentino Perez has left discussions open as a means to free funds for a marquee centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate high on Madrid’s list.
• Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has publicly insisted that Saliba is integral to his plans and not available for transfer.
• Neither club has made an official announcement and advancing the swap hinges on resolving valuation gaps and release-clause terms.
• The proposal remains exploratory while both sides weigh this option alongside other potential signings before the window closes.