Mikel Arteta insists William Saliba will NOT quit Arsenal as he reveals ‘long-term plan’ for Marseille transfer target
MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed defender William Saliba will NOT leave Arsenal despite speculation over a permanent move to Marseille.
The 20-year-old is currently on loan with the French side where he has been ever-present for them this season - featuring in all but one of their league matches.
He signed for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019 but remained in Ligue 1 until the summer of 2020.
Arteta then opted not to include him in his squad for the start of the 2020/21 campaign, before Saliba went on loan to Nice in January of last year.
Then last summer he joined Marseille and his importance in their side recently led to club president Pablo Longoria hinting he could stay there beyond the summer.
He said: "It’s a three-way question. For the club that owns the player, Arsenal, the player and Marseille.
"We have to see our possibilities. He is very happy here, we are very satisfied with his performance.
"William is one of the best young defenders I have seen in my career. After all, everything depends on the three parties.
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"It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal."
However, Arteta has now shut down any chance of him leaving for Marseille.
The Spaniard said: "I know that sometimes it’s difficult to explain or understand after the money that the club has spent trying to bring him in, to send him on loan.
"But a lot of things have happened to him.
"He’s a long-term player for us and we need to protect him as well. And giving him three or four games is not enough.
"He’s very happy to go there now. Hopefully, he can enjoy his football and be ready for us for next season."
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