William Saliba leaves Arsenal, Trent Alexander-Arnold joins – Real Madrid's new Galacticos

Real Madrid are reportedly targeting a trio of Premier League stars to help lead the new era of Galacticos. The Spanish giants have won two of the last three Champions League and are keen to establish a team that could continue to dominate European football for years to come.

Having spent the last few years buying up the top youngstes in world football, Real’s transfer policy has begun to earn trophies, both domestically and in Europe. This wave of on-pitch and commercial success has put the club in a position to flex their financial muscle, with Los Blancos ready to target established stars, once again.

It has been reported by the Independent that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal defender William Saliba and Manchester City talisman Rodri are on Real Madrid’s transfer wishlist. Here’s a look at how these three players would fit in with the club’s new-look Galacticos.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

The Liverpool right-back has helped redefine what is expected from a full-back, having registered 106 goal contributions in 319 games. It is a position that Real Madrid will be keen to make a priority as they are currently reliant on veteran duo Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez.

Alexander-Arnold, 25, is in the final year of his Liverpool contract, leading to fears that he could leave as a free agent, though it is hard to imagine the defender playing for another English club. Real Madrid’s interest is said to be further fuelled by Alexander-Arnold’s friendship with England team-mate Jude Bellingham and their conversations about life in Madrid.

William Saliba

Saliba has been a standout defender in the Premier League since breaking into the Arsenal team in 2022. The 23-year-old was ever-present for a Gunners side that conceded only 29 goals league last term and would help freshen up Real Madrid’s centre-back options, which include 31-year-old Antonio Rudiger and an injured David Alaba.

It is claimed that Real view the Frenchman as a player who can become the ‘future of their defence.’ However, with a contract at the Emirates that doesn’t run out until the summer of 2027, it’ll cost Los Blancos a pretty penny and then some if they want to prise Saliba from the Gunners.

Rodri

The Manchester City midfielder is arguably the most pivotal player in Pep Guardiola’s team. Before this season, City had lost seven of their 18 league games without Rodri, while only losing 19 times in his 173 appearances for the club. Aged 27, he is slightly older than Saliba and Alexander-Arnold but is still 12 years younger than Luka Modric.

A star for the Spain national team, Real Madrid believe Rodri would be interested in a return to La Liga. It is claimed that the Spanish champions will also keep an eye on City’s hearing into 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules. The current champions deny all charges against them.

New Galacticos

Any new signings that Real Madrid make would be joining a team that already contains several superstars. Despite signing as a free agent, Kylian Mbappe finally sealing his dream move to the Bernabeu felt like a return to the lavish Galacticos era, with the France captain making an instant impact with five goals in seven games for his new club.

Jude Bellingham, 21, displayed a similar aura in his debut season at Madrid, with the England international clocking up 36 goal contributions in 42 games. Brazilian sensation Endrick was also added to the club’s ranks this summer, having agreed a big-money move from Palmeiras in December 2022, scoring twice in five games.

Vinicius Jr is an example of the club’s previous transfer strategy, arriving from Flamengo as an 18-year-old, but the Brazilian forward has established himself as one of the world’s best players. Meanwhile, these attacking talents are helped by the defensive nous of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom joined as midfield prodigies.