Arsenal central defender William Saliba has said that he wants to return to Marseille next season to play in the Champions League, as quoted in The Daily Mail.
Saliba spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Marseille from Arsenal.
The £27 million defender (Sky Sports) had a brilliant season and helped Marseille finish second in the Ligue 1 table.
This means that the French club will feature in the group stage of the Champions League next season.
And Saliba, who is scheduled to return to his parent club Arsenal this summer, wants to play in Europe’s premier club competition.
Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League table and will play in the Europa League next season.
Arsenal’s William Saliba wants Marseille return
The Daily Mail quotes Saliba as saying: “I want to come back and play the Champions League. I have never played in it and I want to discover it here.”
Uncertain future
In our view, William Saliba publicly saying that he wants to play for Marseille is a problem for Arsenal.
Now, of course, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may want to keep the Frenchman in his squad for next season.
However, the youngster is unlikely to get in the starting lineup ahead of Ben White and Gabriel next season.
Saliba was a regular for Marseille this season, and warming the bench at Arsenal may not suit him.
The youngster is keen on returning to Marseille and playing in the Champions League, and Arsenal may eventually have to facilitate that, maybe with another loan deal.
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