William Saliba is set to be integrated into Arsenal‘s first team from next season after his loan at Marseille comes to an end, according to reports. Arsenal are still planning for centre-back William Saliba to have a long-term future at the club.
The French defender initially moved to the Emirates Stadium in a £27million transfer back in the summer of 2019. But is yet to make a competitive outing for the Gunners having spent the past two years back on loan.
Questions were raised among Arsenal fans when the 20-year-old was put out on loan to a third different club earlier this year. And the club signed Ben White for £50m. Saliba was given the number four shirt when he returned to north London in 2020. But he saw his No 4 shirt stripped off him by Arsenal for £50m arrival Ben White.
Bright start to the new campaign with William Saliba
Saliba established himself as a first-choice centre-back at Nice and has also played a prominent role in Marseille’s bright start to the new campaign. Which led to fans questioning the club’s decision to let him leave on loan for the third year running.
But, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have been tracking the Frenchman all year and are satisfied with his progress. And have no intentions of selling the French under 21 defender permanently.
The report also claims Arsenal will trust Saliba to become a first-team player from the start of next season. After playing a key role for Jorge Sampaoli’s Marseille this term. The 20-year-old has featured nine times for OM since the start of the campaign
Saliba’s only appearances for the North London club so far have been with the Under-23 team. Which paved the way for a loan to Nice for the second half of the 2020/21 season.
Follow us on Twitter for regular football updates.
