William Saliba is a player many Arsenal fans have discussed and argued over the best part of three years, yet the £27m 2019 signing from Saint-Etienne is yet to even play a minute of football for the Gunners.
Sent out on three different loan spells and spending time with the U-23s, Saliba’s time at Arsenal has been strange, to say the least. Yet this summer is set to see the France international return to north London and become a member of the first team.
Indeed, Saliba has been a sensation for Olympique Marseille this season, with the centre-back conquering Ligue 1 and showing qualities that could make him a defensive force for Arsenal if given time to play.
With that being said, though, the defender himself has come out in recent weeks saying he does not want to be a bench player next season. So, with that in mind, where could Saliba play next season?
Arsenal
Occam’s Razor dictates that the simplest answer is usually the correct one, and in Saliba’s case, Arsenal are the club where the 21-year-old is most likely to spend his football next season.
Whilst Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes have been one of the Premier League’s best centre-back pairings this season, Saliba has a genuine shot of playing regular football for the Gunners in the 2022/23 campaign, especially if Arsenal qualify for Europe.
Moreover, injuries are bound to happen for Arsenal, and given Saliba’s incredible defensive qualities, there’s a strong chance that the youngster will play regular football in north London next season with Mikel Arteta warming to the idea of the French defender.
Newcastle United
This summer is set to be headlined by Newcastle United, who will look to replicate their incredible spending record set in January following the Saudi Arabia-backed PIF takeover of the club. And for Arsenal, Saliba could be targeted by the Magpies.
Centre-back is a problem position for Eddie Howe’s side, and with Saliba eager to play regular football next season, Newcastle could be one of the few sides able to meet Arsenal’s financial demands for the France international.
Whilst it would mean giving up on European football for a year or two, the project at Newcastle would entice many young players like Saliba, and given his success with Marseille this season, the defender could lead the Magpies’ backline for years to come if he risks moving to the northeast.
PSG
Given Saliba’s form this season for Marseille, suitors are bound to be lining up outside the Emirates if Arsenal decides to offload the talented defender for good this summer, and PSG could be both an ideal and realistic destination for the Frenchman.
Indeed, major reforms are set to hit the Ligue 1 giants this summer, with PSG believed to be taking a more domestic approach to signing players in the transfer window. Given Saliba’s Paris-born credentials, with the defender raised in the same commune as one Kylian Mbappe, you start to understand why PSG would want the 21-year-old.
Couple his Parisian birthright with his age and stunning quality in the French top-flight this season, and Saliba could be a very intelligent signing for PSG this summer, especially if the likes of Sergio Ramos and Presnel Kimpembe depart the club.
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