Real Madrid's transfer plan casts serious light over Mikel Arteta's Arsenal decision

Real Madrid has reportedly approached Arsenal about signing William Saliba as his Arsenal future remains up in the air.

The Frenchman is excelling on loan at Marseille but it remains to be seen if he will be a part of Mikel Arteta's plans next season.

The defender is yet to make a single senior appearance for the Gunners since his £30million move from St Etienne in 2019.

Saliba was brought to the club by Arteta's predecessor Unai Emery before he was immediately loaned back to the French side. The youngster then had a spell at Nice, before finding some form with Marseille this term.

The general consensus is that the 20-year-old should be given the chance to stake his claim for Arsenal next season, but that was the same belief that was held by many last summer as the club spent £50m on Ben White.

It suggests Saliba could be surplus to requirements under Arteta and that's perhaps why Real Madrid have enquired about him.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have reportedly approached Arsenal about signing the rising star with AC Milan and Inter Milan also interested, according to Calcio Mercato.

The Gunners would want around €30m for Saliba so they would recoup the majority of the transfer fee they spent on him.

Arsenal's reluctance to use William Saliba has been questioned by former Gunners academy star Stephy Mavididi this week.

Mavididi, who has come up against Saliba for Montepellier, is dumbfounded "how is this guy not playing at Arsenal?"

And Mavididi has nothing but positive things to say about the 20-year-old central defender who he says simply: "How is this guy not playing at Arsenal?"

Speaking in an interview with LiveScore, the 23-year-old said: "I think he'll walk back Into the Arsenal team next season. When I played