Matteo Guendouzi has risked disrupting Arsenal 's transfer plans - by after telling William Saliba he wants him to remain in Marseille alongside him.
Both of the young Frenchman have spent the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at the Stade Velodrome, but Guendouzi's loan conditions are different to Saliba's. While the midfielder returned to France knowing full well a permanent switch was the most likely outcome, Saliba is still expected back in North London from this summer onwards.
Given his reputation as one of the best young central defender's in Europe, many have been left puzzled by the fact Saliba was signed by the Gunners in the summer of 2019 but is yet to actually make a competitive first-team appearance in nearly three years. It is a saga that has sparked plenty of backlash from both Arsenal fans but also followers in Saliba's home country of France, who clearly feel the 21-year-old has been underappreciated by Mikel Arteta and co. at the Emirates.
