Arsenal will reportedly demand a world-record fee for a player in that position if Real Madrid come calling for one of their star men.
The Gunners are currently preparing to spend a week away from action courtesy of their early exit from the FA Cup this season.
However, Mikel Arteta and his squad are left to focused on Premier League and Champions League fixtures, having ambitions to challenge for both trophies.
Despite the progression of the Gunners under the Spaniard, the form of several of their players has led to interest in their signature from bigger European clubs.
According to RMC Sport, Real Madrid are ready to prioritise a pursuit of one of the key men in question.
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Saliba on Real Madrid radar
The report claims that William Saliba has emerged as Real's priority target for the summer transfer window.
Los Blancos officials are said to accept that securing a deal for the France international will be difficult to achieve given his importance to the Gunners.
Saliba has contributed seven goals and two assists from his 116 appearances for Arsenal, as well as forming arguably the strongest central-defensive partnership in the Premier League alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
That said, Real may take encouragement from Saliba's current deal being due to expire at the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
There is said to be the expectation that it would take a world-record fee for a defender to prise Saliba away from the Emirates Stadium. The £77m deal that took Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City is currently the biggest.
A previous report has suggested that Real have already made contact with the representatives of Saliba to gauge his interest.
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Why do Real Madrid need a new centre-back?
When every player is fit, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are Real's top three options for the middle of the backline, academy graduate Raul Asencio a recent addition.
Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been called upon to deputise on a regular basis this season, highlighting the need for another world-class alternative.
Furthermore, Rudiger and Alaba are 31 and 32 years of age respectively, while the average age of the backline is increased when including right-backs Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez in the equation.
Darren Plant
