Where's Tuchel?! England are wasting time without new boss

How it feels to beat Lionel Messi

Mbappe-Deschamps dispute rumours threaten to derail France

Everton, beware! Friedkin-owned Roma are in ruins

Top 25 England moments of the 21st century - ranked

Mendes responds to Ronaldo criticism of Portugal players

Raphinha surprises wonderkid Yamal with £10k gold iPhone

Rodri admits he wouldn't have even chosen Vinicius Jr. as Ballon d'Or runner-up

Real Madrid midfielder announces shock retirement in emotional letter

‘Can't think long term’ – Ronaldo admits he may not reach 1,000 goals

Endrick set to be offered 'escape route' out of Real Madrid

Kane benched! England squad stunned by huge selection call

'Football's biggest waste' - Adriano admits he's 'drinking to oblivion'

Manchester City

Manchester United

Liverpool

Arsenal

Chelsea

Other

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Rudiger heaps praise on Saliba</li><li>French defender described as top three in world</li><li>Arsenal star tipped to join Real</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

William Saliba to Real Madrid?! Antonio Rudiger risks angering Arsenal fans as he teases future transfer for Gunners star

Premier League

Nottingham Forest

LaLiga

Leganes

Real Madrid

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/player/w-saliba/65rqu55qbzswixgqw2efna06i" target="_blank">Saliba</a> has gone from strength to strength since breaking into the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/arsenal/4dsgumo7d4zupm2ugsvm4zm4d" target="_blank">Arsenal</a> first team in 2022, and he has been linked with a move to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/real-madrid/3kq9cckrnlogidldtdie2fkbl" target="_blank">Real</a> by <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/watch-out-arsenal-real-madrid-interested-signing-william-saliba-2025/blt82f536513b679e9b" target="_blank">the Spanish press in recent months</a>. Indeed, his performances in a Gunners shirt have seen him earn a reputation as one of the Premier League's top centre-backs, and in 2023-24 <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/william-saliba-martin-odegaard-five-asenal-stars-pfa-premier-league-team-of-the-year-erling-haaland-watkins/blt671737db7e1e2eb9" target="_blank">he was named in the PFA Team of the Year</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Rudiger has added fuel to the fire by revealing his admiration of Saliba, as well as team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes. He has claimed that both should be considered as among world football's top three centre-backs and hinted that the Frenchman's form could indeed earn him a move to the Spanish capital.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>When asked on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpxovXRIv1M" target="_blank">The Inside Scoop</a> podcast for his top three defenders right now, Rudiger replied: "Saliba, and I like Gabriel from Arsenal as well.</p><p>"If you see Arsenal, like the two centre-backs who are playing together, they are doing since two years now, they're doing an amazing job.</p><p>"Like the transformation from Arsenal, that was a bit before and now, and those two are the pillar of it. You have with Gabriel the more aggressive leader and for example Saliba is, this brother plays clean. No, really, you have to give it to him. You know, he looks like a silent leader."</p><p>Rudiger was then jokingly told 'not to scare Arsenal fans' with 'that Real Madrid knock', to which he said: "I am not scaring anybody but at the end of the day, it's clear, if he keeps doing what he's doing..."</p>

WHAT RUDIGER SAID

<p>Saliba is in line to start Arsenal's Premier League clash at home to Southampton on Saturday, before jetting off to link up with the French national team for their October UEFA Nations League fixtures. Rudiger, meanwhile, will face Villarreal with Real Madrid in La Liga prior to Germany's own upcoming Nations League games.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR SALIBA AND RUDIGER?

William Saliba to Real Madrid?! Antonio Rudiger risks angering Arsenal fans as he teases future transfer for Gunners star | Goal.com

Antonio Rudiger has suggested Arsenal defender William Saliba could soon join him at Real Madrid, if he keeps up his current form.