Real Madrid Eye Arsenal Star After Missing Out on Leny Yoro
The Arsenal badge at the Emirates stadium (Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
This summer, Real Madrid were in need of a center-back, and Leny Yoro was believed to be their top target. Dubbed the ‘next Raphael Varane,’ the young French defender seemed destined for a move to the Spanish capital. However, in a surprising twist, Manchester United swooped in and secured his signature instead.
Despite the departures of Nacho Fernandez and David Alaba’s injury, Real Madrid opted not to make any defensive signings over the summer. The club is known for being cautious in the transfer market, avoiding signings simply for the sake of it. Whether this decision will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Madrid will need to strengthen their defense sooner or later.
According to talkSPORT, Real Madrid’s chief scout Juni Calafat was recently spotted at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, assessing two potential targets: Cristian Romero and William Saliba. However, it’s the Arsenal center-back, Saliba, who seems to be Madrid’s primary focus.
Real Madrid’s interest in Saliba makes sense given their defensive needs. At just 23 years old, Saliba has already established himself as one of the world’s best center-backs, playing a pivotal role in Arsenal’s defensive setup, which is the best in the Premier League. His talent, combined with his age, means he’s only expected to improve with more experience.
That said, prying him away from Arsenal would require a massive transfer fee, as the London club would be reluctant to part with one of their defensive pillars.
