William Saliba “The future of Arsenal” despite loan moves
Saliba’s confusing Arsenal career
William Saliba, a 27 million pound signing from French outfit Saint-Etienne, is yet to play a minute of senior football for Arsenal, since arriving in 2019.
In a somewhat bizarre transfer story, the man once hailed as “one of the most promising young centre backs in France” has spent the last three seasons on loan in Ligue 1, with three different clubs.
🚨 Marseille reach agreement with Arsenal to sign William Saliba on 1yr loan. #OM to pay #AFC loan fee but no option to buy. 20yo still needs to have medical before embarking on 3rd spell away since signing in 2019. No new contract discussed @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/0CDDoyvlc1
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 12, 2021
Following stints with Saint-Etienne and OGC Nice, the defender has since joined Marseille for the 2021-22 season, and has been quick to impress. In their opening seven games, he has helped limit the goals conceded to just 8, which has resulted in OM reaching third place in the Ligue 1 table at the early stages.
Still only 20 years old, he is very much learning his trade, but with the addition of Ben White to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad, fans are questioning where the youngster fits into the North London club’s plans.
Fabrizio Romano issues major update
Speaking on his Here we go podcast, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano offered an encouraging insight into the future of William Saliba if you’re an Arsenal fan. Talking of his potential future, Romano revealed:
“Arsenal are following William Saliba’s performance with Marseille, they are very happy with him. The club told him several weeks ago that they were counting 100% on him for the future of Arsenal.”
This will come as a massive relief to Arsenal fans, who were fearing that they would never get to see William Saliba in an Arsenal shirt following his time spent out on loan and the addition of Ben White in the summer.
Given that the Brighton man has taken his squad number (#4) too, there were legitimate question marks surrounding his future, with two years left to run on his Arsenal deal when he returns to north London this summer.
Clearly, however, he is part of Arsenal’s plans for the future unless something drastically changes.
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