Arsenal are set to open initial discussions with William Saliba over a new contract as the defender plans to test himself in the Premier League next season.
The 20-year-old is excelling on loan at Marseille, but there are claims he could be sold in the summer given the fact he is yet to make a single appearance for the club following his £27million move from St Etienne in the summer of 2019.
The Ligue 1 club are keen to make that deal permanent but that appears to be off the cards.
football.london claims Arsenal plan on holding preliminary talks with Saliba over a new contract in the summer with the player making it clear he wants to prove himself in England's top flight.
Marseille president Pablo Longoria has announced his intentions to sign the young defender on a permanent basis in the summer.
Will William Saliba be a regular in Mikel Arteta's side next season =? Comment below
"It's a three-way question. For the club that owns the player, Arsenal, the player and Marseille," Longoria told Le10Sport when speaking about the possibility of signing Saliba, who has two years left on his current deal in north London.
"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.
"It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal."
Arteta has already provided an answer to Longoria and Marseille, however, as the Spaniard made it clear Saliba would be a part of his plans next season.
The Arsenal boss explained his reasons for sending him out on loan - his third spell in Ligue 1 since arriving at the Emirates.
"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," the Arsenal boss said when speaking about Saliba.
"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."
