Arsenal launching Real Madrid transfer 'hijack' risks possible disaster for Mikel Arteta

must move on from Dean Huijsen following speculation that the Spaniard is primed to join . It is widely claimed that the La Liga giants are close to agreeing a deal for the Bournemouth defender that would see them pay his £50million release clause.

However, reports suggest that Arsenal are placing themselves in a prime position to hijack a deal if Los Blancos fail to bring the transfer over the line. According to transfer expert , the Gunners are remaining in constant contact with the 20-year-old's entourage to ensure they will be ready to capitalise on any slip-up in the Spanish capital. But if the north Londoners do eventually sign Huijsen instead of Madrid, that could prove to be an error.

That is because Madrid have been widely linked with Arsenal star William Saliba. Keen to back likely new head coach Xabi Alonso with a series of big-money deals, president Florentino Perez would surely double his efforts to sign the Frenchman if Huijsen stays in the Premier League.

Saliba is about to enter the final two years of his contract at Arsenal and, despite insisting that he is happy at the Emirates Stadium, there seems to have been little progress made over an extension. The 24-year-old will have more control over his future the closer he comes to becoming a free agent.

That is despite him becoming a key part of Arsenal's progress under Mikel Arteta. The Arsenal boss will not want to lose his star defender.

Saliba is further ahead in his development than Huijsen. Losing the former France international and replacing him with Huijsen would mean a season of bedding in a young defender when Arteta already has a top-class performer. With the head coach under pressure to finally deliver trophies after another barren year, he cannot afford to be developing a partnership between Huijsen and Gabriel, while Saliba shines in Spain.

Arsenal's defensive options are already excellent. In the absence of Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior has stepped up and performed well.

Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White and Jurrien Timber can also play at centre-back. The signing of Huijsen would be an unnecessary luxury.

There are hopes that Saliba will sign a new contract. Wide-ranging reports suggest that talks remain ongoing. A deserved new deal would be a far better use of resources than hijacking Madrid's pursuit of Huijsen.