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Why Arsenal star William Saliba snubbed Real Madrid as Trent Alexander-Arnold point made
Sep 30 2025 15:39 · By Sam Truelove/Ryan Taylor · 83 Reads
William Saliba of Arsenal during a training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
William Saliba has admitted he signed a new Arsenal contract because he wants to "win a lot of trophies" amid long-standing interest from Real Madrid.
The French centre-back signed a new five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium to extend his stay at the club until the summer of 2030. The 24-year-old's existing contract was set to expire in the summer of 2027, with Los Blancos keeping a close eye on proceedings.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash with Olympiacos on Wednesday night , Saliba explained why Arsenal were the only club for him. He said: "To be honest, I was not thinking about clubs from the outside. I wanted to stay here for more years. I was not focused on the other clubs. I'm focused on my club."
Saliba was also asked why he snubbed Real Madrid when Trent Alexander-Arnold, a boyhood Liverpool fan, left the club he loves to join Los Blancos because of their lure. He replied: "He won some titles with Liverpool, with me I didn't win anything here except the Community Shield.
"I want to stay here and win a lot of trophies. I love this club, I couldn't leave this club without giving something back, I've won nothing. I want to stay here and win."
Saliba is the latest big contract renewal that Andrea Berta has overseen since joining the club, with Gabriel Magalhaes , Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly all signing fresh terms this summer.