Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Graeme Bailey has been discussing William Saliba’s options at Arsenal.
The Frenchman has just returned to north London after an impressive season out on loan at Marseille. However, while many expected Saliba to play a key role at Arsenal this term, the Gunners are now in for another new centre-back.
Indeed, the London club have bid for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez, and, as you may have gathered, that leaves things in something of a complicated state for Saliba.
The Frenchman may now be the Gunners’ fourth-choice centre-half behind Ben White, Gabriel and Martinez, and, understandably, that’s not an ideal scenario for the youngster.
According to Bailey, another loan back to Marseille could be on the cards for Saliba upon signing a new contract.
What’s been said?
Bailey spoke about Saliba after the Gunners ramped up their interest in Martinez.
“It’s a little bit surprising especially with Saliba coming back, I do wonder if Saliba signs a new contract and then he goes straight back to Marseille, that might be what’s on the cards at Arsenal, I don’t think he’d come back to play second-string to what is already at Arsenal, so that’s an interesting one to keep an eye on, especially if Martinez goes in there,” Bailey said.
When will he get his chance?
If this is indeed the plan for Saliba, he has to be wondering what more he has to do to get a chance at Arsenal.
The Frenchman has had two impressive loan spells at both Nice and Marseille, he’s played for the senior France team, and yet, he still can’t make his Arsenal debut.
Maybe Mikel Arteta just doesn’t rate him, but we can’t for the life of us figure out why.
Of course, Arsenal’s bid for Martinez may not go anywhere and Saliba may just slot in as he’s expected to, but the fact that Arsenal are bidding for the Argentine would indicate that he could be set for another loan.
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