Transfer Centre

Arsenal perform William Saliba U-turn over loan exit?

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 12 October 2020

Arsenal reportedly decide against sending William Saliba out on loan to a Championship club despite interest from Brentford, and will keep the defender until January.

Arsenal have reportedly changed their minds over plans to send William Saliba out on loan during the remainder of the domestic transfer window.

The 19-year-old signed for the Gunners last year but spent the 2019-20 campaign back on loan at former club Saint-Etienne, where he impressed enough to be tipped to play a role in the first-team setup at the Emirates Stadium this season.

However, he is yet to make a single appearance for Mikel Arteta's side, being left out of the matchday squad for all of their Premier League games so far this term and being excluded completely from their squad for the Europa League group stage.

Saliba came close to rejoining Saint-Etienne on loan again on deadline day, only for that deal to fall through.

The Frenchman had been expected to leave for a Championship club before the domestic deadline on October 16, with Brentford thought to be leading the race for his temporary signature.

However, The Athletic reports that Arteta is now keen to keep hold of the defender until January at least, when the idea of a loan could be explored again.

Saliba made 17 appearances for Saint-Etienne during their curtailed 2019-20 campaign.