Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit has warned William Saliba that the 'grass is not always greener' amid ongoing transfer speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The French centre-half has been a mainstay in Mikel Arteta's starting XI in recent seasons, helping the Gunners compete for the Premier League title and Champions League.
His fine form has seen speculation arise regarding his future at the Emirates, with Real Madrid reportedly keen on his services.
Arteta's side began their European quarter final against Los Blancos at the Emirates Stadium, comfortably winning the first leg 3-0, before a battle in the Spanish capital tonight.
Saliba will play a key role in any success this evening, but Petit has fired a warning to his Frenchman amid ongoing speculation around his future.
"William Saliba is enjoying his time at Arsenal so far," the 1997/98 double-winner told The Evening Standard via William Hill Vegas.
"He loves the way Arsenal plays and has become a different kind of player. He’s now with the France national team because of what he has done with Arsenal.
"If he goes to Real Madrid, it's another story. It’s the same with Trent Alexander-Arnold. It’s one thing playing with Liverpool, where you have been loved by the fans for such a long time and won many trophies, but it’s a different story when you go to Real Madrid."
"I have experienced that," Petit recalled looking back at his own stint in North London and subsequent move to Barcelona. "When I left Arsenal, I was loved by the fans.
"When I went to Barcelona, it was a blank page, a new story that I had to write. I had to forget what I had done in the past and deliver with a new club.
"It will be the same with Saliba. I can understand that it could be a dream for a player to sign for the best club in the world. But the grass is not really greener outside."
Saliba's current Arsenal contract expires in the summer of 2027 and tying him down to a longer deal will be key to any future success the Gunners have.
Latest rumours claim Real would make him the most expensive defender in history by paying over £80m for his services, while others claim the La Liga side would be willing to wait until his contract expires like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Petit added a warning for his former club, saying: "There’s been a lot of speculation in the last few months about Arsenal spending a lot of money, the next transfer market, signing strikers, wingers and I totally agree with that.
"But I’ve said many times recently, they have to be very aware of keeping their best players through the spine of the team if they want to improve, if they want to reach the next step.
"What does it mean if you bring top strikers in and then you lose your top defenders?"
