Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid gives Arsenal dream William Saliba transfer outcome

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba (Image: Getty Images)

Real Madrid's proposed move for Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen could prove to be huge for Arsenal's hopes of keeping William Saliba this summer.

Saliba, 24, has two years on his contract at the Emirates Stadium and has been linked with a blockbuster move to Real . According to The Mirror on Tuesday, the LaLiga side have put the Frenchman at the top of their summer shopping list as Xabi Alonso tries to strengthen his squad.

It's added that, however, Arsenal are determined to fend off interest from Real and have opened up contract talks for Saliba. The Gunners are desperate to tie him down to a new deal. Saliba is one of Arsenal's top earners after last signing a contract in 2023 and is aware that his value is very high.

But now, Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of retaining Saliba's services. This is because Real are advancing in a deal to sign another centre-back, with Huijsen set to make the switch to Madrid this summer. He is on the verge of agreeing a £50million move from Bournemouth to Real.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Cherries have approved Real's conditions for the deal involving Huijsen with his release clause to be paid by the end of 2026. One final green light is needed to proceed and seal the deal with Huijsen's camp, even if the player has always given priority to Real.

Incoming Real head coach Alonso asked the club to accelerate a deal to sign Huijsen as a 'quick solution', as Premier League clubs wanted to get a deal done before the end of the season. But Los Blancos have moved to the front of the queue after a key meeting took place on Monday.

Madrid want to tie up a deal for him to feature in the Club World Cup in June. Los Blancos travel to the United States for the inaugural tournament next month, and face Al-Hilal, Pachuca and RB Salzburg in the group phase.

While Arsenal expressed an interest in Huijsen, his move to Real could be a positive for Mikel Arteta's side. As Real have turned their attention to Huijsen and are set to sign him, Saliba can enter contract talks without the Madrid distraction and that could indeed make sorting out a new deal much more straightforward.

It also strengthens Arsenal's chances of keeping hold of the former Marseille man beyond the end of the summer, as Real are set to prioritise and bring in Huijsen instead. The Gunners now appear to have a free run at attempting to convince Saliba to commit his long-term future to north London.

Arsenal are confident that Saliba is happy at the Emirates and has no desire to leave as he has developed into one of the best defenders in the world across the last three years.

Earlier this month, Arteta said that Saliba was "very happy" at the Gunners and was not concerned about rumours linking him with a move to Real. "I leave those kind of things more for [Arsenal sporting director] Andrea [Berta] and the club to talk about," he said when asked about the prospect of Real Madrid chasing him.

"What I’m certain, because I had a conversation with him, that he’s so happy here, that he wants to continue with us, and what will happen in the future.

"Obviously it’s our negotiations and things that have to take time and process and [we have to] be on top of them. But I’m quite confident that William is very happy here and that’s the place that he wants to be."