French defender Saliba is still yet to make his competitive debut for Mikel Arteta’s side after joining from Saint-Etienne in July 2019, and there is transfer interest from Ligue 1
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William Saliba has had to wait for his chance at Arsenal since joining from Saint-Etienne in 2019, but the Gunners’ response to transfer interest suggests the centre-back will be back in their plans sooner rather than later.
Marseille have reportedly looked into the prospect of signing the Frenchman on a permanent deal after being impressed by his form on loan at Stade Velodrome, but Arsenal are believed to have no interest in letting him go.
Three full seasons will have passed before the £27m signing is given a Premier League bow, with Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta both sending the defender back to Ligue 1 on loan.
Saliba has been particularly impressive this term, though, and appears to be set for a return to London after being named in Ligue 1’s team of the season so far in December.
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After arriving with plenty of fanfare during Emery’s reign, Saliba was immediately loaned back to former club Saint-Etienne.
Injury and the curtailment of the 2019-20 Ligue 1 season saw his opportunities limited, and he returned to north London to play for Arsenal’s under-23 side.
He is yet to turn out for the first team, though, and the Marseille loan is his third in as many seasons after spending the second half of the 2020-21 campaign with Nice.
According to L’Equipe (via Metro), Marseille are keen to make Saliba’s loan move permanent, but Arsenal are said to be opposed to letting the player leave.
The 20-year-old was quizzed about his Arsenal future earlier this season, but remained coy, saying “I prefer not to speak about my future, but I’m very good here [in Marseille]”.
“I don’t regret my decision. I have been very happy since day one. I have one year here and I am going to give my all,” he said.
Saliba started all six of Marseille’s group games in this season’s Europa League, but Jorge Sampaoli’s side dropped down to the Europa Conference League despite conceding just seven goals in the group stage.
The defender has also been a regular in Ligue 1, where Marseille boast the best defensive record in the league and currently sit in the Champions League spots.
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Saliba is under contract at Arsenal until June 2024, and will be 21 by the time his Marseille loan comes to an end.
Fellow Gunners defender Calum Chambers is out of contract at the end of this season, while Pablo Mari has been linked with a January move away, so space may have opened up by the end of the current campaign.
“I think there is room,” Arteta said when quizzed about Saliba back in October.
“It will depend on what happens with other players and that’s not a conversation to have now.”
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