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Arteta has been warned the Real Madrid links will not go away (Picture: Shutterstock)

Arsenal star William Saliba would not turn down a move to Real Madrid, according to his former teammate Morgan Schneiderlin.

Saliba has developed into one of the best centre-halves in world football under Mikel Arteta having arrived from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019.

During his time in north London, the centre-half has been persistently linked with a move to Real Madrid. Last year, Mikel Arteta sat down with his defender to discuss the ‘noise’ with Saliba telling the Gunners boss he was happy in north London.

Former Southampton, Manchester United and Everton midfielder Schneiderlin played alongside the France international for one season at Nice back in 2021, convinced then of his world class ability.

But the former Premier League star feels there will come a time where he will be unable to say no to a move to the Bernabeu.

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‘William Saliba to Real Madrid? That’s something he will need to decide for himself,’ Schneiderlin told ComeOn.

‘It’s not for me to say whether he should stay at Arsenal or go to Madrid but what I do know, having played alongside him, is that he is a top centre-back with an elite mentality who always wants to improve.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 20: William Saliba of Arsenal applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Everton and Arsenal at Hill Dickinson on December 20, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Saliba ‘always wants to improve’ (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s coming back from a long injury now, but I think the bigger question is actually for Arsenal: if you lose Saliba, who do you replace him with?

‘There are very few centre-backs in the world right now capable of delivering those kinds of performances.

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‘I said this many years ago when he was playing for Nice, if I were a big club, I would buy him immediately, because down the line his price tag would become far too high.

LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: William Saliba of Arsenal during the training session on day ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 at on November 03, 2026 in London Colney, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Saliba has recovered from his back injury (Picture: Getty)

‘He is an incredible player to have in your side. But when a decision like that comes up, there are a handful of clubs in your career that you simply cannot turn down, and Real Madrid is one of them.’

Saliba returned to action before the international break having recovered from a back problem and will hope to start when Arsenal resume their Premier League campaign away to Newcastle on 21 November.

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