And so, the curious case of William Saliba has taken another turn.
Just as speculation surrounding the Arsenal star had seemingly come to an end, amid Mikel Arteta's announcement that the Frenchman will be part of the club's plan next season, it's been stoked back up all over again. According to Media Foot, Marseille remain intent on re-signing the centre-back and it appears a summer move still isn't totally out of the question.
Despite suggestions the Gunners are set to reward Saliba with a fresh contract in the coming months, the French outlet insist the north Londoners are currently considering all options. Arsenal will reportedly listen to proposals for the promising 21-year-old, having identified Saliba's compatriot and Wolfsburg centre-back Maxence Lacroix as his potential replacement, should they see fit to allow the defender to depart.
The developments come as something of a bolt out of the blue and will provide Gunners fans with immediate cause for concern. The news has sparked fresh fears that Saliba, who was crowned the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year last season, may not get his eagerly-anticipated opportunity to shine at the Emirates after all.
Such worries appeared to have been allayed as recently as the end of May, when Arsenal manager Arteta may it clear Saliba would feature in his plans for the upcoming campaign following a fine loan stint with Ligue 1 side Marseille. He told RMC Sport : "He has to come back.
"He has the experience and the environment necessary to be competitive with us. If he had stayed with us this year, with a match of Premier League a week, with Ben White and Gabriel, he wouldn't have had half the playing time he had with Marseille, that's for sure.
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"For his growth and what he can do next season that wouldn't have been good. William wasn't with us because he wouldn't have had the playing time to gain experience. That's it, there's nothing else. We made the right decision."
Arteta did indeed make the correct call in allowing Saliba to excel back in his homeland and gain vital experience while helping Marseille clinch Champions League qualification for next season with a second-place Ligue 1 finish. However, the Spaniard risks undoing all that work and making an almighty mistake if he allows the defender to return to Marseille.
The temptation to exploit the French outfit's avid interest remains, but must ultimately be overlooked. Saliba, who has shown he is great shape and is evidently chomping at the bit to become a success in north London, has more than earned his shot with Arsenal.
While Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White will likely remain Arteta's first-choice centre-back partnership, Saliba has proven over the past season or so that he is a more than able deputy who can push the pair for a starting spot. Arsenal's Europa League commitments will provide further opportunities for the Frenchman to impress and prove his worth at the Emirates.
Over the past few seasons, Arteta has himself proven to be a man of his word. Having already asserted his intentions to give Saliba his shot, the Gunners boss would be foolish to backtrack and allow the defender to depart - even if it is for yet another loan stint.
The £27million spent on Saliba back in the summer of 2019 has the potential to prove a snip if the centre-back continues his ascending trajectory. But that can only take place if Arsenal keep the faith and Arteta fulfils his promise.
Oh, and the sooner the Gunners can tie the defender down to a new deal to dispel rumours regarding his future, the better.
