William Saliba, Viktor Gyokeres, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Mikel Merino in Arsenal training (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reportedly had a key role in William Saliba staying and signing a new contract instead of moving to Real Madrid.
According to Fabrizio Romano, speaking to Men In Blazers on YouTube, the Gunners boss was fully involved in the work the club did trying to ensure Saliba committed his future to the north London giants.
Romano has made it clear that Real Madrid really wanted Saliba, seeing him as the Jude Bellingham of defence, but it seems they never opened talks over a deal.
Now the France international is staying at Arsenal, and Romano has provided some insight into how they managed to keep him.
Fabrizio Romano on William Saliba staying at Arsenal despite Real Madrid transfer interest
In an episode focusing on Arsenal, Romano praised the club’s recent work and spoke specifically about Saliba at one point.
William Saliba celebrates Gabriel’s goal for Arsenal against Newcastle (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“I think in this case for Arsenal, the fantastic news is about keeping Saliba, but to close this case immediately already at the end of September, beginning of October is something special,” Romano said.
“Special because you avoid having problems with all the speculation, with all the media rumours, with all the possibilities because (it) was not speculation about Real Madrid, (it) was reality.
“Real Madrid wanted William Saliba. Real Madrid considered William Saliba as a potential target for the future. They never started any negotiation or any concrete talk because you can’t do it obviously with two years left on his contract, and because Arsenal never wanted to entertain any negotiation and discussion.
“But in the internal negotiations and discussions at Real Madrid Saliba was always mentioned as one of the potential targets if he was not going to extend his contract at Arsenal.
“We always say here Real Madrid see Saliba as the Bellingham of the defenders, but the ball is in Arsenal’s court.
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