Arsenal loanee William Saliba has revealed that a decision on his future is yet to be made but insisted that he would be open to joining Marseille permanently.
Speaking to RMC Sport (h/t football.london), Arsenal defender William Saliba, who is currently on loan at Marseille, has hinted that he could consider making the transfer permanent in the summer.
Saliba joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 from Saint-Etienne before being loaned out to the French club immediately afterwards. Having spent 2019/20 back in France, the 21-year-old found opportunities hard to come by at Arsenal in the first part of the 2020/21 campaign and was shipped out to OGC Nice for the remainder of the term.
Last summer saw Saliba return to France again, signing for Marseille on a season-long loan. And the Arsenal-owned centre-back has thrived at the club, helping them to the second spot in the Ligue 1 table and the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals. Saliba has featured in 40 games across all competitions so far.
It has led to speculations over his future after the ongoing campaign. Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan have shown an interest in the French ace while there has been talk of Marseille themselves keeping him at the club beyond the ongoing campaign.
William Saliba on his future: “I think there will be discussions afterwards, at the end of May-beginning of June, with Arsenal and Marseille, we will decide at that time”, via @ChrisWheatley_ ?? #AFC
There’s no buy option in the current deal – it’s a straight loan.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 24, 2022
Amidst this, a return to Arsenal, where he is yet to make a single senior appearance, is also touted, with Mikel Arteta believed to be prepared to give Saliba a chance. Indeed, there have also been speculations about a new contract offer from the Gunners for the 21-year-old centre-back.
Saliba has now addressed the matter of his future beyond the ongoing season, insisting that a decision is yet to be made. “No, but I never hid that I felt good here. I don’t know my future, there are two months left, the most important thing is to qualify for the Champions League and go as far as possible in the Conference League,” he said.
“I think there will be discussions afterwards, at the end of May-beginning of June, with Arsenal and Marseille, we will decide at that time. But it is sure that continuing here would not be a bad idea, on the contrary, I know the city, my teammates, my coach. But it’s not just up to me,” Saliba added, hinting that he would be open to making his switch to Marseille permanent.
So, it will be interesting to see what plans Arsenal have for him for next season and if that is enough for them to convince him to stay at the Emirates. If Saliba wishes to push for a move from the club, the report states that the club might not stand in his way.
Arsenal loanee William Saliba has revealed that a decision on his future is yet to be made but insisted that he would be open to joining Marseille permanently.
Speaking to RMC Sport (h/t football.london), Arsenal defender William Saliba, who is currently on loan at Marseille, has hinted that he could consider making the transfer permanent in the summer.
Saliba joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 from Saint-Etienne before being loaned out to the French club immediately afterwards. Having spent 2019/20 back in France, the 21-year-old found opportunities hard to come by at Arsenal in the first part of the 2020/21 campaign and was shipped out to OGC Nice for the remainder of the term.
Last summer saw Saliba return to France again, signing for Marseille on a season-long loan. And the Arsenal-owned centre-back has thrived at the club, helping them to the second spot in the Ligue 1 table and the UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-finals. Saliba has featured in 40 games across all competitions so far.
It has led to speculations over his future after the ongoing campaign. Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan have shown an interest in the French ace while there has been talk of Marseille themselves keeping him at the club beyond the ongoing campaign.
William Saliba on his future: “I think there will be discussions afterwards, at the end of May-beginning of June, with Arsenal and Marseille, we will decide at that time”, via @ChrisWheatley_ ?? #AFC
There’s no buy option in the current deal – it’s a straight loan.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 24, 2022
Amidst this, a return to Arsenal, where he is yet to make a single senior appearance, is also touted, with Mikel Arteta believed to be prepared to give Saliba a chance. Indeed, there have also been speculations about a new contract offer from the Gunners for the 21-year-old centre-back.
Saliba has now addressed the matter of his future beyond the ongoing season, insisting that a decision is yet to be made. “No, but I never hid that I felt good here. I don’t know my future, there are two months left, the most important thing is to qualify for the Champions League and go as far as possible in the Conference League,” he said.
“I think there will be discussions afterwards, at the end of May-beginning of June, with Arsenal and Marseille, we will decide at that time. But it is sure that continuing here would not be a bad idea, on the contrary, I know the city, my teammates, my coach. But it’s not just up to me,” Saliba added, hinting that he would be open to making his switch to Marseille permanent.
So, it will be interesting to see what plans Arsenal have for him for next season and if that is enough for them to convince him to stay at the Emirates. If Saliba wishes to push for a move from the club, the report states that the club might not stand in his way.