Marseille president Pablo Longoria ‘flies into London for dinner with William Saliba’s agent’ after he spent last season on loan at the French club… but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta plans to keep the defender this season
- Marseille president Pablo Longoria has reportedly met William Saliba’s agent
- Saliba made 36 appearances for Marseille while on loan from Arsenal last term
- However, manager Mikel Arteta sees Saliba as part of his plans at the Emirates
Olympique Marseille president Pablo Longoria flew into London to meet William Saliba’s agent for dinner on Monday, according to a report.
Saliba has shone for Arsenal in their pre-season tour of the USA, but the Frenchman has never played a competitive game for the Gunners in the three years since joining from Saint Etienne in 2019.
Last season, the centre back made 36 appearances for Marseille on loan, helping the club to secure a Champions League spot and make the semi-finals of the inaugural Europa Conference League.
And Fabrizio Romano has revealed on Twitter that Longoria has spoken to Saliba’s agent with a view to tempting the 21-year-old defender to move on a permanent basis.
William Saliba was an important part of Marseille’s Ligue 1 campaign last term while on loan
It is also believed that Saliba attracted the interest of Barcelona because of his sterling work with Marseille, being named Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year.
However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he thinks Saliba will be play an important part for the Gunners in the years to come, and have no interest in letting him go.
After Saliba’s involvement in Arsenal’s 4-0 friendly win over rivals Chelsea in Orlando, Arteta insisted that the young defender was ‘ready’ for Premier League football.
Saliba has won over Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta during the Gunners pre-season tour of the USA
Arsenal’s manager said: ‘I am really pleased to see the way he…