Arsenal signed William Saliba from Saint-Étienne in 2019, but the Gunners decided to allow the centre-back spend last season on loan at the French club.
Unai Emery was in charge at the Emirates when the 19-year-old agreed to join the north London club.
Mikel Arteta was appointed as Emery’s successor last December, and the defender hasn’t entered into his manager’s plans for this season. He’s still waiting to make his debut for the Premier League club’s senior side.
‘Saliba, failed marriage’, reads a headline in today’s edition of L’Equipe.
It’s claimed his ‘English adventure is turning into a mess’, and it cannot continue the way it is now. ‘Both parties agree’ on this.
According to the newspaper, the player’s agent is expected to arrive in London to hold talks with the English side’s leaders. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss his client’s immediate future.
The France U20 international has still not been asked to go out on loan by Arsenal’s board. L’Equipe state Saint-Étienne will be hoping for him to return in January after failing to take the centre-back on loan in the summer.
Arsenal’s contract negotiator Huss Fahmy has left the club and he didn’t share a good relationship with Saint-Étienne boss Claude Puel. Fahmy’s exit should help the Ligue 1 side.
The report further adds the competition to take Saliba on loan in January is fierce because there are other clubs, who are still in the European competitions, looking at him.
In addition to this, clubs from the Premier League are also interested in the Arsenal player. A move to another English side on a temporary deal would help Saliba ‘acclimatise’ to the needs and conditions of football in the country.
L’Equipe adds there’s also a possibility for the Frenchman to continue with his current employer. However, it will be difficult as long as Arteta is still in charge.
Saliba is ‘expected to go out on loan’ in January, unless Arsenal decide to replace Arteta with a new manager.
