‘Waste of money’: Rio Ferdinand blasts Arsenal for signing of teenage talent

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Rio Ferdinand has told his FIVE YouTube channel that William Saliba has been a waste of money at Arsenal.

The ex-Premier League defender made the claim when discussing some of the transfer business done by the Gunners.

Saliba joined Nice on loan yesterday until the end of the 2020/21 campaign and is yet to make a first-team appearance for Arsenal.

The 19-year-old is thought to be one for the future with Mikel Arteta not yet fancying him for a first-team spot.

He was signed for £27 million in the summer of 2019 but immediately loaned back to Saint-Etienne.

Ferdinand hasn’t been impressed with Arsenal’s purchase of the £40,000-a-week French defender, believing they are still short at the heart of the defence.

He told the FIVE YouTube channel: “I still think Arsenal need a top centre-half, all the problems stem from that.

“There’s a great nucleus of young players but you’ve got to put the pieces around them and that’s the big problem – it’s been the problem with recruitment at Arsenal for so long.

“Saliba, what’s happened with him? It’s a waste of money it seems at the minute. I don’t know what’s happened.”

TBR View – Plan for Saliba will prove interesting

Right not, it’s hard to argue with Ferdinand’s suggestion.

With Arsenal not in the Champions League, £27 million is a lot of money to fork out for a player who isn’t close to the first-team.

He has now joined Nice on loan and there have been some suggestions that it could be extended for next season too.

That doesn’t make a great deal of sense really and if he impresses Arsenal should look to utilise him during 2021/22.

Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi might not be at the Emirates Stadium next season, whilst some doubts might hang over David Luiz.

Arteta has done well when it comes to trusting the club’s younger players and eventually the time will come for Saliba.

The plan of action when it comes to the development of the Frenchman looks like one to watch with intrigue.