William Saliba provides intriguing update on his Arsenal future

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William Saliba has told RMC Sport that he is open to staying at Marseille next season with talks with Arsenal set for the end of the current campaign.

Saliba is approaching the end of his third loan spell since joining the Gunners for £27 million in 2019. His ‘extraordinary‘ form with Marseille has earned the 20-year-old his first call-up to the France senior squad.

In fact, he could represent his nation before he has had the chance to play for Mikel Arteta’s side. But it would appear that Arsenal are seriously considering including Saliba in the plans next season.

Reports have previously claimed that the Gunners plan to offer the centre-back a new contract. And it would appear to be the right time for Saliba to take that next step and find himself in the fold at the Emirates.

But there is clearly plenty of decisions to be made before Saliba’s future is resolved. Ahead of his potential international debut, the youngster left the door open to staying at Stade Velodrome next year.

“I never hid that I felt good here, but I don’t know my future,” he told RMC Sport. “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 doesn’t just depend on me. We’ll see how it will go, but it also depends on Arsenal who must give the agreement, we’ll see.”

Arsenal cannot loan Saliba to Ligue 1 side next season

Arsenal do not necessarily face a simple task making a decision on Saliba. Gabriel Magalhães and Ben White have formed an outstanding partnership this year.

Thus, Saliba is unlikely to be a first-choice at Arsenal if he sticks around next year.

So perhaps there will be a temptation to loan him out again, or even sell him. One thing that is for certain is that Arsenal must not loan him out to Ligue 1 again.

Saliba has nothing left to prove in the French top-flight. If he is going to leave on loan, the time is absolutely right to let him show what he can do in the Premier League.