After weeks of speculation and the future of the Arsenal youngster in question, it appears a solution has been found for William Saliba.
William Saliba Set for France Return
No Option to Buy
According to The Athletic’s James McNicholas, William Saliba will complete a medical this morning before putting pen to paper on a six-month loan deal.
Nice will not have the option to extend nor make the deal permanent. Reports also suggest the French side will pay Saliba’s salary in full.
Arsenal signed Saliba for £27 million in 2019. He spent the whole of last season on loan at his former club Saint-Etienne. Unfortunately, with injury and then the season being cut short as a result of the pandemic, the loan was not as effective as the Gunners would have hoped. He only made 11 starts all season.
As a result, he has been unable to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s plans so far this season. Despite his price tag and belief at the club that he will be a future star, he has yet to make an appearance for the senior team.
With family problems and fitness concerns, it has not been the ideal environment for Saliba’s progression and acclimatization.
Solution Found
Mikel Arteta discussed recently how the future of the 19-year-old was important to the club. The Spaniard was adamant a solution would soon be found.
With interest from across Europe in the youngster’s services, it appears he will likely return home to France and move to Nice.
The French side, who have recently sacked Arsenal legend Patrick Viera, currently sit 12th in the league. Under new boss Adrian Ursea, Saliba will hope to get consistent game time and prepare himself to make a claim for the Arsenal first team in the summer.
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