Arsenal have been handed a fresh threat to the future of William Saliba amid strong interest from Marseille. The 21-year-old defender proved himself to be one of Europe's brightest prospects while impressing out on loan with the French giants.
Saliba, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in 2024, featured 36 times in Ligue 1 for the Olympians, steering Jorge Sampaoli's side to a silver medal finish behind Paris Saint-Germain. The France international played a key role in Marseille's success and, now having returned to north London, he's set for a breakthrough campaign.
Despite a highly-anticipated future at Arsenal, the French side have shown no incline to surrender their interest in the defender, according to Fabrizio Romano. It's said that Marseille are 'in love' and continue to 'dream' of welcoming Saliba back to the Stade Vélodrome.
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However, it's thought that the Gunners consider the defender 'really important' to Mikel Arteta's plans. Though, behind the scenes, Marseille president Pablo Longoria flew to London to meet the Saliba's agent for dinner on Monday night, as per Romano.
While Saliba is yet to make a competitive appearance for Arsenal three years on from his arrival from St-Etienne, Arteta believes that his experience on loan has been invaluable. Speaking to The Athletic after Arsenal beat Chelsea in pre-season, the Spaniard said: "I am really pleased to see the way he is playing, the way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he's shown at 21 years old; carry on doing it."
"We will keep developing him, he has a huge potential," Arteta added, speaking of the £26million-rated Frenchman. "He is already a top player and we have to make him even better. He looked ready to me today."
With Saliba at Arsenal's disposal this season, the Gunners boss has a wealth of options to line his defence. Whether it be Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding or even Kieran Tierney in a back-three, Edu has armed Arteta with the tools to plot a challenge for Champions League qualification.
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