Ruben Dias’ 2025/2026 season has once again underlined why he is viewed as one of Man City’s most important defenders, with Arsenal and Chelsea believed to be among his admirers.
Across the campaign, he has remained a regular starter in Pep Guardiola’s final season in charge when fully fit, continuing to marshal the backline with his leadership and authority.
It is in line with his wider City career, where he has already passed 250 appearances and helped deliver the famous 2023 treble alongside multiple other Premier League titles since arriving from Benfica in 2020.
Even during a season where City’s defence was disrupted by injuries, Dias still stood out, and reports have continued to rank him among the division’s most reliable centre-backs, particularly for his passing from deep and his ability to organise his teammates under pressure.
The 29-year-old, who is reportedly on around £183,000-per-week at Eastlands, had trouble with his hamstring at the end of 25/26 which forced him into more of a bit-part role, but his quality is beyond doubt.
Dias is also approaching 80 caps for Portugal after starting all but one of his nation’s games at the World Cup, with Roberto Martinez also viewing him as a cornerstone of the national team.
That consistency is a big reason why, according to TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey, City have reacted firmly to renewed transfer talk involving Arsenal and Chelsea.
Man City respond as Arsenal and Chelsea express Ruben Dias interest
Both clubs held exploratory interest, with Chelsea in particular making an enquiry last month.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Graeme Bailey is a well-known UK transfer journalist who has worked for outlets including TEAMtalk, 90min and GRV Media, and previously spent time at Sky Sports. He is considered well-connected within certain agent and club circles, but his reliability is debated by some fans who view his reports as speculative. |
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Finances |
Financially, a deal for Dias would sit at the very top end of the market. His £183,000-a-week wages alone create a long-term commitment worth over £9m a year, while some reports value him at around £80m, although his contract security at City pushes any fee even higher. Combined, the total package would likely exceed £120m over several seasons, making it a premium, difficult transfer that only elite, carefully structured deals could realistically support. |
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Insight |
Dias began his senior career at Benfica, progressing through their academy before becoming a first-team regular and winning the Primeira Liga title. His leadership and defensive maturity quickly marked him out as one of Europe’s top young centre-backs. A move to City in 2020 saw him instantly transform their defence, winning major trophies and the Premier League Player of the Year award in his first season. |
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Impact |
A move for Dias would instantly raise Chelsea’s defensive standards, adding elite organisation, leadership and Champions League experience. He would improve build-up play from the back and bring a winning mentality. However, his arrival at Arsenal would arguably upset the applecart given the plethora of defenders already at Arteta’s disposal, and would likely lead to one or two departures. |
However, according to Bailey’s information, City’s stance is clear: they are not entertaining offers for Dias.
Chelsea, now under Xabi Alonso’s leadership, are expected to add a star centre-half amid links to Maxence Lacroix, but the message from the Etihad remains that Dias is not available at any price.
From Arsenal’s side, the interest feels more like respect than necessity.
Do Arsenal really need Rúben Dias?
Mikel Arteta has already built one of the strongest defensive units in the Premier League, with multiple options competing for places.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes remain the first-choice pairing when fully fit, while Ben White provides flexibility across the back line.
They added a lot of further depth there last summer too, with Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie joining Riccardo Calafiori as the defenders providing quality centre-back coverage.
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In truth, Arsenal’s defence is already among the most settled in Europe, and that is why the idea of pushing hard for Dias feels unnecessary.
He would unquestionably improve almost any squad, but the Gunners already have a blend of youth, physicality and technical quality in central defence that does not require a major overhaul.
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The Gunners have surprisingly thrown their hat in the ring.