Arsenal reportedly face a fight to retain the services of one of their key defenders during the summer transfer window.
For the second season in succession, the Gunners have just finished as runners-up in the Premier League to Manchester City.
While the champions netted five more goals at one end, Mikel Arteta's side conceded five fewer at the other, with that resilience partly down to the performances of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
Saliba started each of Arsenal's 38 matches, whereas Gabriel made 34 outings from the first whistle and two substitute appearances, highlighting the influence they each have on this side.
However, their consistency has inevitably led to admirers from elsewhere, it appearing that two of European football's superpowers could make a formal approach for one of the aforementioned players.
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Saliba had admirers at two high-profile clubs
According to CaughtOffside, both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain hold an interest in signing Saliba before the end of August.
Both the La Liga and Ligue 1 giants have reasons to try to strengthen their respective defences this summer, particularly the former with Nacho having departed the Bernabeu on a free transfer.
PSG only conceded 33 goals in their 34 top-flight fixtures during 2023-24, yet there is a need to establish a more familiar partnership in the middle of their backline.
The report adds that Arsenal have no interest in cashing in on Saliba, the 23-year-old having a contract at the Emirates Stadium until 2027.
Nevertheless, there is an acknowledgement that sustained interest from either club could have the potential to sway the France international.
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Is a transfer a realistic possibility?
On the face of it, it would come as a surprise if Arsenal gave any consideration to cashing in on a player who is arguably the most important in their entire squad.
From Saliba's perspective, though, he was born in the Paris suburbs and realistically could want to represent PSG at some time in his career.
Meanwhile, Saliba may appreciate that there is an opening for someone to become a mainstay in the Real Madrid defence for years to come, and there are few better candidates than himself.
Darren Plant
