According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United want to sign Arsenal’s William Saliba on loan this summer with a deal for Kristoffer Ajer considered ‘unlikely’.
It’s claimed that Newcastle had hoped to sign Ajer, but the Magpies are now poised to miss out; Bayer Leverkusen were linked earlier this week.
Newcastle are already turning their attentions elsewhere, with Arsenal talent Saliba now believed to be a prime target for Steve Bruce.
Who is Arsenal defender William Saliba?
Saliba, 20, joined Arsenal in a huge £27million move in the summer of 2019, but has yet to make a single first-team appearance for the Gunners.
After loaning him back to Saint-Etienne, Mikel Arteta didn’t pick Saliba and Arsenal then sent him on loan again, this time to Nice in January.
Now heading back to Arsenal, Saliba is waiting to learn whether he has a role to play under Arteta next season.
Is a move to Newcastle realistic?
In a word, yes. A loan move to Newcastle worked absolute wonders for another Arsenal youngster in Joe Willock.
Arsenal have seen Willock grow and develop, and few could blame them for thinking Saliba can do the same at Newcastle.
Playing in Bruce’s back three could also help Saliba, limiting his exposure whilst giving him valuable Premier League experience.
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