Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a personal test as he tries to convince wantaway centre-back William Saliba that his future lies in north London.
The young French defender is yet to make his Premier League debut for the Gunners, but is due to link back up with the club in pre-season following an impressive loan spell at Marseille. Saliba was such a consistent performer during his year in Ligue 1 that he ended up making his debut for the France national team and there has been renewed speculation that he may look to leave Arsenal permanently this summer in search of regular first-team football.
It comes as the Gunners have held secret transfer talks with Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez's representatives, where they learned just how much money it will take to secure the signing of the Argentine defender this summer. And Gabriel Jesus will need to answer Mikel Arteta's key question about his best position before Arsenal complete the signing of the Brazilian ace.
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Arteta faces personal test
Mikel Arteta is facing one of his biggest challenges as he looks to persuade WIlliam Saliba to stay at Arsenal.
The centre-back helped Marseille qualify for next season's Champions League during his loan spell last season, with the French side said to be keen to sign the defender permanently this summer. Reports suggest the French outfit could offer £25million to sign Saliba, although Arteta has already stated his desire to keep hold of the player.
The Arsenal boss views Saliba as potentially being one of the top centre-backs in the Premier League – and he will need to convince the Frenchman he can achieve that if he stays at the club.
Secret transfer meeting
Arsenal have learned the price of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez during secret transfer talks with his representatives.
The Argentine centre-back has been widely linked with a move to the Emirates this summer, although the Gunners may have to part with £42million to secure his signature. The club has already had a £25milion bid rejected as Mikel Arteta looks to add further depth to his options in defence.
While the Gunners remain interested in the player they could face stiff competition from Manchester United, now managed by Martinez's ex-Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, who have also held recent talks with the player's representatives.
Jesus has question to answer
Gabriel Jesus will be able to show exactly where his best position is if he completes his move to Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta wants the Brazilian to lead his attacking line following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Auabameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. But he has not always been played as an orthodox central striker for Manchester City or the Brazil national team.
Jesus has often appeared on the right-wing for club and country, but is bound to see his future as an out-and-out striker given the brief Arteta is set to hand him. And that will hand the Brazilian a huge opportunity to show he has what it takes after being discarded by City in favour of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.
