Arsenal defender William Saliba is keen to seal a “dream” transfer to Real Madrid this summer, a report has claimed.

Amid long-term concerns over the fitness of their current centre-back cohort, Madrid are expected to make a splash in the summer window and it was recently revealed that they have identified Saliba as their priority target.

Arsenal, for their part, have no desire to part ways with Saliba and have made it clear Madrid would need to make the Frenchman the most expensive defender in history with a bid that exceeds the £80m paid by Manchester United for Harry Maguire in 2019.

Indeed, Sky Sport Switzerland state Arsenal have set an asking price of £100m for the 23-year-old.

That price tag has not scared off Madrid, who remain in negotiations with Saliba’s representatives to determine just how feasible a summer switch actually is.

It is claimed that Saliba sees a move to Madrid as his “ultimate dream”, while the chance to link up with close friend Kylian Mbappe only strengthens the appeal of a possible move to the Bernabeu.

That being said, Saliba pledged his future to Arsenal just two months ago, publicly insisting he was loving life under Mikel Arteta, so just how interested he would be in a summer exit remains to be seen.