Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Arsenal defender William Saliba is reportedly a summer transfer window target for AC Milan after impressing on loan at Marseille.
THE LOWDOWN: FUTURE UNCERTAIN
The 21-year-old has been a first-team regular during his loan spell with Ligue 1 outfit Marseille this season, making 50 appearances across all competitions.
Saliba, however, is yet to make a senior appearance for the Gunners since his £30m move from Saint-Etienne in 2019 and his future at the Emirates Stadium remains uncertain.
The talented defender also earned a place in France’s squad during the last international break and the defender is aiming for a spot in Didier Deschamps’ squad for their World Cup campaign in Qatar later this year, which means he’ll be on the lookout for first team guarantees for next season.
If Mikel Arteta isn’t able to offer him those expectations, then a permanent move away from the Emirates may well be on the cards.
THE LATEST: AC MILAN INTEREST
According to Turkish transfer journalist Ekrem Konur, the Serie A giants are interested in taking the defender to the San Siro on-loan this summer with an option to buy.
Additionally, the Mirror confirms this interest stating the Rossoneri are desperate to strengthen their defence for next season, and the Frenchman fits the bill as the profile they are searching for.
THE VERDICT: DON’T SELL
Considering the defender’s young age, potential and quality, the Gunners must keep their coveted young star at all costs this summer.
His teammate and former Emirates man Mattéo Guendouzi certainly rates the Frenchman – recently calling him “extraordinary” and a “very important player” for the Ligue 1 giants.
Indeed, according to WhoScored, the 22-year-old rock averages a very impressive 93.3% pass accuracy out of defence, more than both of Arteta’s centre-back options in Gabriel and Ben White.
This highlights his incredible composure and technical quality at such a young age, he’s also recorded the fifth-most passes into the final third (179) amongst all Ligue 1 players, the sixth-most progressive carries (227) and the most touches of any player (3257) showcasing that he is not afraid to dictate proceedings from deep.
If Arsenal are to express more variation in the game next season, Saliba could prove a valuable option either in a conservative back-three or alongside either of Arteta’s two main options.
With the north London outfit short on quality options at the back, Saliba would prove a welcome and exciting addition to Arteta’s promising options next season, therefore the £21.6m-rated defender is a player the Gunners cannot afford to lose. Don’t sell.
AND in other news, Arsenal plotting move for £13.5m-rated wing wizard, holds a hefty £51.3m release clause…
