The transfer market has been rocked by a sensational announcement: Arsenal star defender William Saliba will join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after signing a five-year contract. According to L’Équipe and posts on X from @PSGinside, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi paid a record €120 million for the transfer, along with a €20 million signing bonus, beating Real Madrid’s offer. This acquisition, one of the most expensive in history, marks a turning point for PSG in its quest for European dominance and leaves Real Madrid empty-handed in the face of Parisian financial power.
Saliba, 24, has established himself as one of the best center-backs in the world, averaging 3.8 clearances per game and a passing accuracy of 92% this season, according to Sofascore. His solidity and ability to pass cleanly made him a priority for PSG, who were looking to strengthen their defense after Milan Škriniar’s inconsistent performances. Real Madrid, who saw Saliba as the ideal successor to David Alaba, attempted to match their offer of €100 million, but Al-Khelaïfi outbid them, also offering Saliba a weekly salary of €500,000, according to Le Parisien.
The signing comes as PSG have sky-high ambitions for the Champions League, having reached the 2025 final. Parisian coach Luis Enrique is said to have personally convinced Saliba, promising him a pivotal role alongside Nuno Mendes and Marquinhos. PSG fans, such as @ParisienVN on X, are celebrating the arrival, calling it the “deal of the century,” while Arsenal fans, such as @GoonerDaily, are lamenting the loss of a pillar, criticizing the club for not securing his future sooner.
On the Real Madrid side, the disappointment is palpable. Carlo Ancelotti, in an interview relayed by Marca, acknowledged that losing Saliba was “a big blow,” but he remains confident in his current defense. However, posts on X by @HalaMadridVN suggest that Madrid fans blame Florentino Pérez for not competing financially with PSG. This transfer highlights Al-Khelaïfi’s aggressive strategy, which does not hesitate to invest heavily to attract the best talent, as evidenced by the recent rumors surrounding Lamine Yamal.
As Saliba prepares to make his Parisian debut this summer, this move redefines the balance of power in Europe. PSG, with a strengthened defense and an attack led by Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, looks more formidable than ever. For Arsenal, rebuilding promises to be difficult, while Real Madrid will have to look elsewhere to fill the void left by the failure of this deal. This masterstroke from Al-Khelaïfi marks a new chapter in the history of PSG, who now dream of lifting the Champions League with Saliba as their spearhead.
