With both Arsenal and Tottenham after his services, with the Gunners getting the greater share of claims, William Saliba is a wanted man.
The young centre-back has been the centre of attention at Saint-Etienne for the past few months, especially recently, with talk of a €30m move to the Premier League being discussed.
For now, however, the defender remains in France, and there’s a very good chance he will still be playing in Ligue 1 next year, regardless of whether or not he does get his move to a bigger club, such as the Gunners, in the next couple of months.
Speaking to But! Football Club in France, Bernard Caïazzo, Saint-Etienne’s chairman of the supervisory board, explained what the plan was regarding Saliba and the 2019-20 campaign.
He said: “Our accounts are balanced, so there’s no imperative need to sell him. We know there are solicitations and that his future will be via a top European club, but there’s no rush.
“He will stay this season. That’s an imperative condition if we are to find an agreement for his transfer. We’ve clearly defined the conditions. It’s also William’s wish. He wants to wear the green shirt this season, to play in the Europa League, and he wants to get better before leaving.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this desire from Saint-Etienne to get Saliba back on loan for the upcoming campaign, but now we have it in full from one of the top decision makers at the club.
If that’s an issue for Arsenal, then they might as well walk away now by the sound of things.
Unai Emery has been warned: if you want Saliba, you’ll have to wait another year to manage him.
Furthermore, Yahoo! Sport France journalist Manu Lonjon tweeted that a new meeting for Saliba was due to take place today, so we might find out a bit more tonight or tomorrow.
https://twitter.com/ManuLonjon/status/1146758266749378561?s=20
