Real Madrid is reportedly in "talks" with Arsenal "unicorn" following the Liverpool blockade.

Real Madrid’s summer transfer ambitions are taking a dramatic turn, with the Spanish giants now pushing hard to sign Arsenal’s William Saliba after encountering a roadblock in their pursuit of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate. 

As Madrid rebuilds under new manager Xabi Alonso, they’re going all out to strengthen their defense—but Arsenal may not be willing to play ball.

Let’s dive into everything going on behind the scenes and why this could become one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the summer.

Madrid’s Defensive Overhaul Underway

The 2025 summer transfer window has already been busy for Real Madrid. 

Xabi Alonso is determined to reshape the squad following a disappointing 2024/25 campaign that saw the club lose both the La Liga and Champions League titles. A defensive revamp is central to his plans.

Madrid has already sealed deals for three defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived from Liverpool to bolster the right-back position.

Alvaro Carreras joined from Benfica and is expected to become the new first-choice left-back

Dean Huijsen, formerly of Bournemouth, is set to take a central role in defense.

However, Alonso is not stopping there. 

He’s pushing for one more elite central defender to partner with Huijsen. 

That’s where Ibrahima Konate and William Saliba come in.

Konate: The Dream Target Slipping Away?

Initially, Madrid had set their sights firmly on Ibrahima Konate. The French centre-back has been high on their list, with multiple reports—including from trusted journalist Fabrizio Romano—highlighting Konate as a top priority if he doesn’t renew his Liverpool contract.

But it seems Madrid’s pursuit may hit a dead end. According to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Liverpool has offered Konate a new contract that includes a significant pay raise. Konate is reportedly "considering" the offer.

David Lynch also weighed in via Sports Mole’s YouTube channel, revealing that Konate’s "priority" is to stay at Liverpool. 

If he signs the new deal, Madrid will have no choice but to move on—and that’s exactly what they’re doing.

Plan B: Real Madrid Go All In for William Saliba

With the Konate move looking unlikely, Madrid has shifted their full focus to William Saliba. According to sources close to Real Madrid Confidencial, Madrid has already sent representatives to London with a clear goal: to open formal talks with Arsenal and Saliba’s camp.

The Spanish club reportedly views Saliba as the perfect modern centre-back—strong, composed on the ball, and tactically intelligent. Spanish outlet AS, which maintains strong links to Real Madrid’s hierarchy, even described Saliba as a "unicorn" in today’s football—a rare blend of skill, power, and awareness.

But despite Madrid’s strong interest, there’s a massive roadblock: Arsenal don’t want to sell.

Arsenal's Firm Stand: Saliba Is Not For Sale

Both AS and Real Madrid Confidencial agree on one thing—Arsenal’s stance on Saliba is crystal clear. Mikel Arteta and the club’s leadership view Saliba as untouchable. 

Even an offer of €100 million (£87.4m) is reportedly not enough to tempt Arsenal into negotiations.

Arteta sees Saliba as a central pillar of his long-term vision. After helping transform Arsenal into consistent Premier League title challengers, the 24-year-old Frenchman is seen not just as a star, but as a future captain.

Saliba still has two years left on his current contract, which runs until 2027. 

However, Arsenal aren’t resting on that. According to Football Transfers, they’re already in advanced talks to extend his deal until 2029. 

The club is reportedly confident Saliba will commit to a long-term future at the Emirates.

Will Madrid Push or Pull Back?

With Arsenal holding firm, the ball is now in Real Madrid’s court. Will they make an outrageous bid to test Arsenal’s resolve? Or will they quietly step back and look elsewhere?

So far, the message from London is loud and clear: Saliba is not for sale at any price.

But as we’ve seen countless times in football, money talks—especially when we’re talking about nine figures.

Madrid’s interest in Saliba underscores just how desperate they are to find a world-class partner for Huijsen. 

And while Konate remains the “dream” target, it seems Saliba is becoming the more realistic—if still incredibly difficult—option.

More Movement at Madrid: Rodrygo, Barcelona, and Midfield Drama

Elsewhere at the Bernabeu, things are just as dramatic. Madrid is facing renewed interest in Rodrygo from Premier League clubs—most notably Arsenal. 

Despite holding an interest, Arsenal reportedly won’t meet Madrid’s valuation, and it remains unclear if that deal will progress.

At the same time, Madrid is battling Barcelona for another Premier League star. 

But the Catalan club, due to financial constraints, are refusing to match the player’s asking price.

Manager Xabi Alonso has also drawn a line in the sand over his midfield.

He’s reportedly told club bosses not to sell two of his versatile midfielders—one of whom can also cover at left-back—emphasizing that Madrid’s rebuild will require depth, not just big names.

Final Word: Arsenal Hold the Cards—for Now

It’s clear Real Madrid is doing everything in their power to build a dynasty for the next era under Xabi Alonso. 

But when it comes to William Saliba, they’re facing a formidable opponent in Arsenal.

Unless something major changes—like Saliba pushing for an exit or Madrid returning with a world-record bid—this looks like a battle Arsenal is determined to win.

Still, with plenty of time left in the transfer window, don’t rule anything out just yet.