Transfer Centre

Marseille 'still optimistic of permanent William Saliba deal'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 29 July 2022

Marseille are 'surprisingly optimistic' about their chances of signing Arsenal's William Saliba permanently, according to a report.

Marseille are reportedly still optimistic about their chances of signing Arsenal centre-back William Saliba on a permanent basis this summer.

The 21-year-old is yet to make his competitive debut for the Gunners since making the move from Saint-Etienne in a £27m deal in 2019.

Saliba has been sent out on loan to Les Verts, Nice and Marseille in that time, and he was a standout performer in Jorge Sampaoli's Olympiens setup last season.

The France international helped his side to a second-placed finish in Ligue 1 and won the French top flight's Young Player of the Year award for his exploits in defence.

Marseille chiefs were determined to keep Saliba on the books permanently, but the defender confirmed his desire to return to Arsenal in an interview with Telefoot earlier this summer.

Marseille's William Saliba pictured in March 2022 © Reuters

"I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left. I will be back with Arsenal," Saliba said. "I have played zero matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club."

However, Marseille are not giving up hope in their pursuit of Saliba, and L'Équipe - via GFFN - claims that Les Olympiens are still 'surprisingly optimistic' of welcoming the Frenchman back to Ligue 1.

Olympiens president Pablo Longoria is understood to have met with Saliba's agent Djibril Niang for a recent dinner in London amid the defender's strong form in pre-season.

Arteta has integrated Saliba into his backline during the summer exhibition period and publicly declared that the 21-year-old was "ready" for competitive action after the 4-0 win over Chelsea.

"I am really pleased to see the way he is playing, the way he has adapted to the team, the maturity that he's shown at 21-years-old, carry on doing it," Arteta told reporters.

Mikel Arteta in charge of Arsenal on July 23, 2022 © Reuters

"We will keep developing him, he has a huge potential, he is already a top player and we have to make him even better. He looked ready to me today."

Saliba is under contract at Arsenal for another two years, but the Gunners are thought to be keen to agree an extension with the former Saint-Etienne youngster.

Agent Niang is known to have visited Arsenal's London Colney training base this summer, but whether he was there for contract discussions is unknown.

Saliba is set to compete with the likes of Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Rob Holding at the back next term, with Pablo Mari widely expected to leave.

Fenerbahce are supposedly in talks over a deal for the out-of-favour Mari, while Marseille will seemingly acquire one Arsenal defender on loan in the form of Nuno Tavares.