With the transfer window entering its final two weeks, all eyes at the Santiago Bernabéu are firmly on the future of Brazilian forward Rodrygo. The winger, who has been a key part of Real Madrid’s attack in recent seasons, has so far resisted the growing speculation about a possible exit.
Despite this, he continues to be heavily linked with some of Europe’s most elite clubs, leaving uncertainty surrounding his long-term role under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid, perhaps mindful of the possibility of a late twist in the market, have been preparing for every scenario.
Reports suggest that the club are anticipating the chance of Rodrygo being tempted away and, in turn, have been exploring ways to use his situation as leverage to strengthen other areas of the squad. One such attempt recently involved Arsenal’s defensive leader William Saliba.
According to claims relayed by The Touchline, Real Madrid made contact with Arsenal on Wednesday night to discuss a potential move for the French centre-back. Saliba, widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest defenders, has long been admired by the Spanish giants.
In fact, he was considered Madrid’s top defensive target earlier in the summer. During these fresh talks, Los Blancos even went as far as proposing a direct swap deal—offering Rodrygo in exchange for Saliba.
However, Arsenal’s response was swift and firm: the London club immediately rejected the proposal. Mikel Arteta and his staff view Saliba as indispensable to their ongoing project.
The 23-year-old has been at the heart of Arsenal’s resurgence in recent seasons, bringing stability, composure, and quality to their backline. For the Gunners, losing such a cornerstone of their defensive structure was simply out of the question, even in return for a highly talented forward like Rodrygo.
For Real Madrid, the setback means they will have to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements. The Spanish champions are eager to freshen up their aging defensive line, which currently leans heavily on veterans such as Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba.
Alonso, who is overseeing his first season in charge, has made it clear that he envisions a generational shift at the back. His plans are already underway, as shown by the summer arrival of young defender Dean Huijsen.
Despite their admiration, Madrid may now have to accept that Saliba is not a realistic option. The player himself has shown no intention of leaving North London, and Arsenal remain just as determined to keep him.
For now, it appears that the Frenchman’s future lies firmly with the Gunners, leaving Los Blancos to rethink their defensive strategy as the window approaches its conclusion.
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