Marseille have suggested their intentions to sign William Saliba from Arsenal in the summer transfer window, but Mikel Arteta has already given the Ligue 1 side a response.
Saliba joined Marseille on a season-long-loan after Arteta couldn't promise him first-team minutes going into the Premier League campaign.
Since joining Les Phoceens, the Frenchman has been pivotal to Jorge Sampaoli’s side and has started in every Ligue 1 game when he has been available for selection.
His excellent performances during his loan spell is a major reason why the Marseille president Pablo Longoria has announced his intentions to sign him, despite Arteta already giving a verdict on his future.
"It’s a three-way question. For the club that owns the player, Arsenal, the player and Marseille," Longoria told Le10Sport when speaking about the possibility of signing Saliba.
"We have to see our possibilities. He is very happy here, we are very satisfied with his performance.
"William is one of the best young defenders I have seen in my career. After all, everything depends on the three parties.
"It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal."
Saliba has yet to make a first-team appearance for Arsenal since joining the club in 2019 in a £28m fee from St Etienne.
However, Arteta made it clear earlier in the campaign that he is set to reintegrate the young defender back into his squad for next season.
"I know that sometimes it’s difficult to explain or understand after the money that the club has spent trying to bring him in, to send him on loan," the Arsenal boss said when speaking about Saliba.
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"But a lot of things have happened to him he’s a long-term player for us and we need to protect him as well. And giving him three or four games is not enough.
"He’s very happy to go there now. Hopefully, he can enjoy his football and be ready for us for next season."
Arsenal fans have kept a close eye on Saliba in Ligue 1 so far this season, and they will be excited about his return to Arteta’s side ahead of the next campaign, despite the interest in a permanent deal expressed by the Marseille president.
