William Saliba leaves Arsenal, Trent Alexander-Arnold joins Real Madrid

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

Having spent the last few years recruiting the best youngsters in world football, Real's transfer policy is starting to bring them trophies, both domestically and in Europe. This wave of success on the pitch and commercially has allowed the club to assert its financial muscle, with Los Blancos ready to target established stars once again.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal defender William Saliba and Manchester City talisman Rodri are on Real Madrid's transfer wish list, according to The Independent. Here's a look at how the three players would fit into the club's revamped Galacticos.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool's right-back has helped redefine expectations for a full-back, having registered 106 goals in 319 games. It's a position that Real Madrid will want to make a priority as they currently rely on veteran duo Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez.

Alexander-Arnold, 25, is in the final year of his contract with Liverpool, raising concerns he could leave as a free agent, although it is hard to imagine the defender playing for another English club. Real Madrid's interest is also said to be 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 joining the Arsenal squad in 2022. The 23-year-old was an ever-present in a Gunners side that conceded just 29 league goals last season and would help freshen up Real Madrid's centre-back options, which include Antonio Rudiger, 31, and an injured David Alaba.

Real Madrid see the Frenchman as a player who can become “the future of their defence”. However, with his contract at the Emirates not set to expire until the summer of 2027, it will be costly for Los Blancos if they want to snatch Saliba from the Gunners.

Rodri

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

Real Madrid believe that Spain star Rodri would be interested in a return to La Liga. The Spanish champions are also understood to be closely following City's hearing over 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. The reigning champions deny all the accusations against them.

New Galactics

Real Madrid's new signings would only be joining a squad that already boasts several superstars. Despite signing as a free agent, Kylian Mbappe has finally sealed his dream move to the Bernabeu, as a throwback to the Galacticos' glitzy era, with the France captain making an immediate impact with five goals in seven games for his new club.

Jude Bellingham, 21, has displayed a similar aura in his debut season at Madrid, with the England international netting 36 goals in 42 games. Brazilian sensation Endrick also joined the club 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 transfer strategy. Arriving from Flamengo at the age of 18, the Brazilian forward has established himself as one of the best players in the world. At the same time, these attacking talents are aided by the defensive talent of Aurélien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom arrived as midfield prodigies.