Arsenal consider William Saliba sale in huge development

Arsenal could see William Saliba arrive and leave the club within two years without playing a single competitive minute for the club as the impending arrival of Ben White could signal the end of his time in north London.

What a complete and utter mess. A signing heralded as an almighty coup on the club’s part having fended off interest elsewhere to secure William Saliba’s coveted signature, despite the fee, it has been nothing short of a disaster.

With Mikel Arteta making right centre-back a priority area for the club this summer, the thought was with a view to bolstering the numbers in that department, securing an upgrade on Rob Holding and adding experience in the role.

Instead, the impending arrival of Ben White has turned the Saliba situation on its head. A player stated to be relishing his Arsenal return and fighting for a place in the squad, is now considering his future.

Arsenal consider William Saliba sale in shocking development as Ben White summer transfer sets defender up for Gunners departure

As per football.london, Saliba is now assessing his options for the coming season with Arsenal closing in on the big-money capture of the Brighton defender. Newcastle, Nice and Marseille are among the clubs chasing his signature, with a loan move the most probably outcome.

However, it’s likely that any loan move would have an obligation to buy clause inserted. There is chance that it wouldn’t be included, although it’s hardly to the player’s benefit.

‘Multiple sources’ have since stated that Saliba could also be sold this summer, this despite the suggestions being from numerous outlets that he would be given his chance to impress in pre-season.

Signed for £27m from Saint-Etienne in 2019, what has transpired since the move has been poorly handled. In every way, from the signing itself, failure to secure loan moves and misuse in the squad. Everything positive about Saliba that has occurred has happened away from Arsenal.

While it was widely expected that Saliba would return and be given the chance to fight for his place, the arrival of White may well have been the straw that broke the camel’s back for him. It’s not certain but Arteta may still have wanted him to come in – there was scope to even start the season at left centre-back with Gabriel away with Brazil – only for Saliba to see the White deal as a threat to his future.

Which is completely understandable, although a Premier League untested 20-year-old centre-back has to imagine there will be some competition for his place.

As per the report, Arteta has concerns over the Frenchman’s age and the club view him as part of the former regime: the likes of Granit Xhaka, Dinos Mavropanos, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira are all due to depart the club soon.

He shouldn’t be considered as a ‘former’ anything.

Continued…