Arsenal loanee William Saliba admits he ‘doesn’t know’ whether he will be playing at the Emirates next season… as he ponders the possibility of staying at Marseille after winning the Ligue 1 young player of the year award
- Centre-back William Saliba is due to return to Arsenal at the end of the season
- He has spent the last season on loan at Marseille, and has thrived in France
- He picked up the Ligue 1 young player of the year award on Sunday night
- Saliba must now decide whether to go back to Arsenal or stay at Marseille
- The 21-year-old has claimed he is currently unsure about his next career move
Arsenal loanee William Saliba has admitted that he is unsure about his club future as his loan spell at Marseille draws to a close.
Saliba has spent the past season in France, but is set to return to his parent club when the campaign ends.
He has refused to rule out the possibility of staying at Marseille, though, after flourishing at the club and receiving the Ligue 1 young player of the year award.
William Saliba has had an excellent campaign on loan at Marseille in France
He won the Ligue 1 young player of the year award in Paris on Sunday
‘It’s an honour, a source of pride. I dedicate this trophy to my team-mates, my club and the supporters,’ he said at Sunday’s awards ceremony in Paris.
‘Did I play my last match with OM? I don’t know. The future will tell us.
‘The most important thing is to confirm this good season by qualifying for the Champions League. Afterwards, we’ll see.’
Marseille need to pick up a point from their final game of the season at home to Strasbourg to guarantee themselves a place in next season’s Champions League.
They will have to get that result without Saliba, who is unavailable due to suspension.
Saliba may return to England to play for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal next season
Jorge Sampaoli wants to keep him in Marseille, though, and Saliba has not ruled out staying
The defender has clearly made a positive impression at Marseille, with manager Jorge Sampaoli recently revealing that he would be keen to keep hold of the 21-year-old.
He told reporters: ‘William’s progress is linked to his development this season and the maturity he now has and his playing time.
‘He is now consistent, he’s grown up as a player. In relation to his situation at the club, I hope that there is a possibility for us to retain a player like him, who knows the team.
‘But I don’t know if it depends on OM, William or Arsenal. I don’t know the possibilities in this case.’
Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019, but is yet to play a senior game for the club.
He could be welcomed into the squad this summer, though, if Mikel Arteta opts to bring him back to provide competition for Ben White and Gabriel at the Emirates Stadium.
