Real Madrid plan world-record bid for ‘phenomenal’ Arsenal star as Gunners stance revealed

Real Madrid are planning to go big for Arsenal defender William Saliba in the summer transfer window, with a report revealing what the Gunners could do in the event of a bid from Los Blancos as a top Liverpool star has been backed to move to the Santiago Bernabeu along with Trent Alexander-Arnold.

One of the areas that Madrid need to address in the summer of 2025 is their defence. Eder Militao is injured at the moment, while Antonio Rudiger is 31 and David Alaba is 32 and has had injury issues of his own. Raul Asensio has looked promising, but he is still only 21.

It has been so dire for Madrid this season that head coach Carlo Ancelotti has had to play Aurelien Tchouameni in central defence despite the Frenchman being a midfielder by trade.

Madrid have decided to sign a top-class defender in the summer of 2025 and have made Arsenal and France international star William Saliba “an absolute priority”.

There were rumours last month that Madrid had already been in touch with Saliba’s entourage over a summer transfer, and now it is being reported in the French media that the defending Spanish and European champions are planning to go all out for the 23-year-old defender.

The Gunners do not want to sell Saliba, who has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the world and has been described as a “phenomenal” and “aggressive” player by Arsenal legend Martin Keown.

Arsenal will demand a huge transfer fee, and Madrid are aware that they will need to make a world-record bid and make Saliba the most expensive defender in history to get a deal done.

Harry Maguire holds the record for being the most expensive defender in football history.

Manchester United paid Leicester City £80million for Maguire in the summer of 2019.

Virgil van Dijk tipped to join Real Madrid

Virgil van Dijk was once the world’s most expensive defender when Liverpool paid Southampton £75million for the Dutchman in January 2018.

Van Dijk has gone from strength to strength at Liverpool and is still a world-class centre-back at the age of 33.

The Netherlands international centre-back is out of contract at Liverpool at the end of the season, and his former Southampton teammate Jose Fonte has tipped him for a potential move to Madrid as a free agent at the end of the season.

Madrid are also trying to sign Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, with a report in Spain this week claiming that it is 90% certain that the defender will move to the Santiago Bernabeu on a free transfer.

Fonte told Mundo Deportivo: “Van Dijk would thrive at Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern Munich and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at one of those clubs next season.”

The Portuguese defender added: “I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at one of those clubs next season, because those clubs will be looking for defenders who are as reliable as Van Dijk and everyone will be watching if he reaches the end of the season without signing a new contract.

“He can still play at the highest level and has shown that he can take care of himself. He will have no problem staying at the highest level for three or four more years.”

Latest Real Madrid news: Brahim Diaz to Liverpool, Theo Hernandez competition

While Madrid are keen on a deal for Alexander-Arnold, there is a chance that Los Blancos could lose one of their own players to Liverpool.

A report has claimed that Liverpool are keen on signing Brahim Diaz from Madrid in the summer of 2025.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is a huge fan of Diaz and is keen on working with the winger at Anfield.

While Diaz is an important player in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, he is not guaranteed a place in the starting lineup.

One player that Madrid do not want to let go of is Endrick. While the striker is not a regular in Los Blancos’ starting linup, he is only 18 and is one for the future.

Reports in Spain this week stated that West Ham United made an ambitious move for Endrick in the January transfer window.

The Premier League club approached the Brazil international striker’s entourage with a view to signing him on loan until the end of the season.

Endrick turned down the chance to move to West Ham, with Madrid also not in the mood to entertain any offers for the teenager.

Our Italian transfer correspondent Rudy Galetti has reported that Madrid are the most serious suitors for Hernandez, but defending Premier League champions Man City are now showing interest in the left-back.

€55m Barcelona player facing a considerable challenge to retain his importance in the team

One of the most notable achievements of FC Barcelona in the recently closed winter transfer window was the successful completion of Ronald Araujo’s renewal operation, as negotiations with the center-back had been going on for quite a while, and had also been quite complicated at times.

However, despite his recovery from injury, he returned to action only at the start of 2025 after missing the entire first half of the season, and now even with his future sorted out, Diario AS notes that things are not looking too well for him at the Catalan club.

An indication of the problems he can face going forward was received in the recent game against Alaves, as the defender was substituted at half-time by Hansi Flick.

The German tactician revealed in the press conference after the game that he was taken off because of the yellow card he had been shown, but the need to have good passers could also have been a reason for Flick to introduce Eric Garcia in his stead.

The Barcelona coach seems to have identified the propensity of opposition coaches to trap Araujo and wait for him to make a faulty pass, and against Alaves, he was quick to make amends before this weakness cost his team.

Although the €55m-rated Uruguayan has improved a lot in this aspect since his move to the Catalan club, this is still a notable weakness in his game, something that can prove costly for him under Flick.

Arsenal braced for double transfer blow as Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko reality now clear

Arsenal’s wait to sign a striker goes on – and their hopes of bringing a new No.9 could be affected by what happens with Harry Kane’s future at Bayern Munich.

Kane left Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023 to complete a £100million move to the Bundesliga giants. He has since gone on to score 70 goals in 72 appearances, but reportedly faces an uncertain future ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal were linked with a host of potential strikers during the January window, but opted not to bring a new forward to the club. Two players that have been linked with moves to the Gunners in recent months are Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Bayern are preparing for the possibility that Kane may leave the Allianz Arena in the summer. It has been reported that Kane has a release clause in his contract, with some suggestions he could leave at the end of the season for a fee worth £54million.

Tottenham are reported to have included a first-option agreement in the deal that saw Kane leave north London to move to Munich. In the event that Kane does leave Bayern, the German club have apparently listed two potential replacements.

Gyokeres and Sesko are mentioned in the report as two players who are being considered as targets by Bayern to replace Kane, should the former Spurs striker leave the club in the summer. It remains to be seen if Arsenal will want to sign either Gyokeres or Sesko, with both players heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Second huge Arsenal transfer ‘set to become official’ with summer deal ‘practically closed’ for attacking sensation

Arsenal are ‘set to make official in the coming months’ the signing of Nico Williams, with strong reports in Spain revealing how he has already agreed to join the Gunners and with details emerging of the huge package they have agreed to pay Athletic Bilbao for his signature.

The Gunners did not add to their squad in the winter window, despite making a bid to bring Ollie Watkins to Arsenal in a move that annoyed Aston Villa both in its timing – just hours before a crucial Champions League game against Celtic – and in its value, with details soon emerging about how Arsenal had tried it on with a cheeky £40m gambit.

As a result, it’s understood that just seven minutes elapsed between Arsenal making the offer and Villa rejecting it. And while the Gunners did not come back with an improved offer – reasons for which have since been explained – they continue to monitor the 29-year-old England striker ahead of the summer window.

While Arsenal will likely target a new No.9 in the months ahead, Arteta has already set the wheels in motion for two other summer swoops too. And while a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has already been put in place, the Gunners are now reported to be closing on a second raid on the Basque country – this time for wing sensation Williams.

Reports on deadline day already claimed Williams is ‘ready to accept’ a move to Emirates Stadium this summer; now Fichajes reports that Arsenal are ready to make a ‘multimillion-dollar investment to persuade the player’ who is now a ‘priority’ for Arteta this summer.

Further reports take it further saying the move is ‘set to be made official in the coming months’ and with the 24-times capped Spain winger set to sign off on a move to north London.

The report claims the Williams’ entourage ‘has already held several meetings with Arsenal, and everything points to the fact that the agreement between the two parties is practically closed’.

It’s also claimed Williams is agreeing to join Arsenal ahead of long-standing interest from Barcelona, who are far from happy after learning about the player’s imminent move.

And it states that Williams has been promised a ‘leading role in Mikel Arteta’s team’ and Barcelona seeing the deal ‘as a betrayal’ with the Catalan giants ‘very close to signing him last summer’.

Alexander Isak sends clear Arsenal transfer message as Martin Odegaard takes heat off Kai Havertz

It is almost impossible not to get hung up on the performance of Alexander Isak when considering the vast chasm between Newcastle’s ability to finish their chances across the two legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final compared to Arsenal. After the two games, the Gunners ended the tie with an expected goal value of 4.79 compared to the Magpies’ 3.34.

One team outperformed what was expected while the other dramatically did not. It has been a story that has dominated the season for Mikel Arteta as once again his centre-forward Kai Havertz blanked.

Isak is known to be coveted by Arteta, and were he to have his pick of a dream summer signing, the Swede would be at the top of it. However, the likelihood of that happening is very slim unless several doors open to allow such a scenario to emerge.

Newcastle finishing outside the Champions League places or perhaps European places entirely, and the north east club failing to agree on an extension to his current contract would open the door. Arsenal would somehow need to find a three-figure million-pound sum to secure the player, which could have significant effects on other business the club needs to do.

UEFA Financial Fair Play was a factor in why a forward was not signed permanently in the last two windows. While there will be more freedom in the upcoming summer, that loosening of shackles is not infinite, far from it.

That being said, Havertz barely had a sniff at the goal during the game but one man certainly did, Martin Odegaard. With the scores level after Isak’s goal was ruled out for the tightest of offside calls, the Gunners skipper had the chance to give his side the lead, twice.

Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Arsenal star limps off vs Newcastle

Gabriel Martinelli limped off during Arsenal’s defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, with Mikel Arteta admitting the attacker “felt something” in the first half.

The Gunners were dumped out of the competition at St. James’ Park, with Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon ensuring the home side came away 2-0 winners. It meant the north Londoners lost 4-0 after two legs but the defeat may come at a cost with Martinelli picking up an injury.

The Brazilian, who started the match on the right wing, was forced off in the first half after appearing to suffer a hamstring injury. Arteta did not take any risks with the 23-year-old and Ethan Nwaneri was immediately brought on in his place.

Speaking after the game, Arteta confirmed Martinelli suffered a suspected hamstring injury. “Yes, he felt something,” the Spaniard said. “I think it was his hamstring and he wasn’t comfortable to continue so we’ll have to do an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury.”

Arsenal now face an anxious wait to determine the severity of Martinelli’s injury. The Gunners are expected to fly out to Dubai in the coming days, with Arteta’s side now not in action until February 15 due to their third round FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester United.

Arteta believes his squad can use the break to recharge ahead of the back end of the season. He said: “Yes, we need to swallow this one, it’s a tough one. We had a lot of expectations, we knew the difficulty of the task because of the result that we brought from London but there’s nothing we can do right now.

Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle as Saliba and Gabriel taught lesson and two others poor

Arsenal were resoundingly knocked out of the League Cup at the semi-final stage after a comfortable win on the night for Newcastle.

Alexander Isak saw an early goal ruled out for the tightest of offside calls after a quick turnover. However he would get the chance to score again soon after, and despite hitting the post, Jacob Murphy followed in to score and give the home side the lead.

David Raya would then gift the home side their pathway to Wembley, passing the ball loosely only for a turnover of possession to see the ball land at Anthony Gordon’s feet who gratefully scored.

David Raya – Very little the Spaniard could do about the goal with the shot rebounding off the upright and into the path of Murphy. However he was most certainly at fault for the second, gifting the ball to Newcastle and Gordon scored. 4

Jurrien Timber – Seemed shaken in some moments, running he ball out of play multiple times in the first half. Sadly could do little more in the second. 5

Report – Barcelona manager focuses on accelerating key defender’s adaptation after lengthy injury

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is reportedly focusing on accelerating the adaptation of key defender Ronaldo Araujo.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick recognises the importance of integrating Araujo quickly into his tactical plans after a challenging period for the Uruguayan centre-back.

Araujo suffered a significant hamstring tendon injury in his right thigh during the Copa America last year.

This serious setback required surgery, which forced him to miss Barcelona’s entire pre-season.

As a result, he was unable to train alongside his teammates and familiarise himself with the German coach’s distinct style of play for the first half of the current season.

Speeding up the adaptation

However, the injury is now behind him, and Araujo has gradually made his way back into the squad. Since his return during the cup tie in Barbastro, he has featured in seven matches.

Even before receiving the green light from the medical staff, Araujo worked closely with the coaching team to accelerate his understanding of Flick’s tactical ideas.

Despite being sidelined for a long time, Araujo has been steadily regaining his form and confidence. Flick’s decision to rely on him, even when his competitive rhythm was not at its peak, highlights the coach’s trust in his abilities.

Araujo was called upon to fill the gap left by Inigo Martínez, who was out with an injury.

Araujo is indeed important

The German manager has consistently expressed the importance of Araujo in his defensive setup.

When there were rumours linking the defender to a move to Juventus, Flick was adamant about keeping him at Barcelona. His confidence in Araujo has been unwavering.

Now fully fit and gaining prominence, it’s Araujo’s turn to repay the faith shown in him. His performances suggest that he is becoming more comfortable in Flick’s system, adapting well to the demands placed on him.

Barcelona capitalize on Real Madrid’s slip with crucial win over Alaves

The decisive moment came in the 61st minute, thanks to a brilliant sequence of play. Pedri delivered a perfectly placed ball into the box, finding Lamine Yamal in stride. The young winger showed his awareness by sending the ball back across goal, where Robert Lewandowski was waiting to finish with a well-placed header. It was a moment of quality that sealed all three points for Hansi Flick’s side.

Barcelona controlled possession throughout the match but found it difficult to break down Alaves’ disciplined defensive structure. Usually, the strategy employed by Alaves’ coach, Eduardo Coudet, presents a significant challenge for Barcelona.

His game plan relies on ball movement and creating space through constant off-the-ball runs, particularly from second-line players, to establish superiority in attacking areas. As a result, Barcelona struggled to assert the dominance and clarity it has displayed in recent matches.

Coudet’s tactical approach was evident in the statistics—Barcelona managed 11 shots, but only three were on target, with just one goal to show for. The breakthrough finally came when Lamine Yamal worked his magic. A long pass from Pedri found the wonder kid, who, with a brilliant first touch, set up Lewandowski to push the ball into the net.

The victory not only keeps them in the title race but also puts added pressure on Real Madrid, who now face a brutal run of fixtures. Madrid’s upcoming schedule remains daunting, with a key La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid, two high-stakes Champions League matches against Manchester City, and a Copa del Rey fixture all looming. With squad rotation and fatigue likely to play a role, Barcelona has a real chance to close the gap even further in the coming weeks.

Arsenal guaranteed to be without five players for Newcastle Carabao Cup clash

Mikel Arteta knows how important Wednesday night is. Arsenal have the chance to get to the Carabao Cup final, although they must overcome Newcastle United, who hold a 2-0 lead going into the semi-final second leg.

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both scored in the first leg at Emirates Stadium at the start of January and Arteta knows the threat the home side will pose his team. “They are a very difficult team to play against,” the Spaniard insisted.

Arsenal will be without five senior players for the clash in Newcastle, however. Ben White is edging closer to a return but will play no part at St. James’ Park, with the defender continuing his recovery from knee surgery. It’s possible the Englishman makes his return in February, though. “No news from the game against City and Ben is still out hopefully after the break he will be available,” Arteta said.

Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka is no closer to making a return from the hamstring injury picked up in the win at Crystal Palace in December, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus are the two other long-term absentees. Neto, who is on loan from Bournemouth, is cup tied so will not make the trip up north.