Arsenal: 5 transfers that need to be successful

5. William Saliba – Marseille

Deal: Simple loan
Contract expiry: 2024

The question of whether William Saliba has a future at Arsenal is a long-standing one. Now on his third loan move to Ligue 1 following his £27m signing, when the Frenchman does return to Arsenal it will be with two years left on his deal.

Prime selling time, or prime renewing time.

Having signed Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu in the summer, two players who can play at right centre-back or on the right of a back three, any signs Saliba may be looking for to indicate he can have a future at Arsenal are fading.

That said, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding may move on at the end of the season opening up space in the backup slot in either centre-back position, or if he has another storming campaign – which he’s en route to this term – could he be a first team challenger?

In either case, he needs to excel once more whether that’s to return to Arsenal, or be sold. Because, despite how well he’s been playing, who is seriously going to stump up around £30m for  then 21-year-old who can’t get into an Arsenal side ahead of Holding and Mari?

Arsenal look destined to take a hit on their initial outlay. Therefore, this could do with being the season where Saliba crushes Ligue 1, improves aerially and in the tackle, and comes back a complete defender. That’s the hope.