Mikel Arteta has been pressurised into making a fresh transfer decision at Arsenal with Marseille turning up the heat on the future of William Saliba.
Saliba has starred on loan at Marseille this campaign and has been sent out on temporary exits in successive seasons by Gunners boss Arteta.
That has led to questions over the Frenchman’s long-term future in North London and there is now fresh speculation that he will exit the club this summer.
The update comes after Saliba admitted that he was dealt a harsh reality check after arriving at the Emirates, having believed he was ready for first-team action.
The Frenchman is tipped for a bright future at the top level but has been loaned out for three successive seasons by Arsenal.
Have Your Say! Should Saliba be in Arsenal’s first-team plans? Tell us what you think here.
He is currently starring at Marseille having spent the previous campaigns at Saint-Etienne – the club from whom Arsenal signed him permanently in 2019 - and Nice in Ligue 1.
Saliba was signed by Unai Emery in the summer of 2019 for £27million but allowed to remain at St Etienne for a further season.
The defender’s starring role at high-flying Marseille this season has led to suggestions he could return to Arsenal this summer, but the excelling partnership of Gabriel and Ben White may mean that decision is delayed again.
Arteta has now been pressured into providing clarity on Saliba’s situation by Marseille president Pablo Longoria, who has opened up on the player's future and claimed the club would be happy to prolong his stay in Southern France.
Longoria told French media outlet Le Provence: "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.
"It's a matter of market value.
"But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal."
Saliba was previously shunned by Arteta, where he played at the Gunners for the U23s before being constantly overlooked for selection which eventually meant he headed out on loan to Nice.
Saliba has featured in 35 matches for Jorge Sampaoli’s Marseille this campaign and is tipped for a bright future at the top level.
Saliba recently admitted: "Before going to Arsenal, I said to myself I was going to play, I was sure, I was wondering who I would play alongside.
"I arrive, I play 0 matches. I played for the U23s. That gave me a good slap.
"Things go so fast in football. I don't want to think about the future. I am going to give my all. Then there will be discussions in summer."
Saliba’s future remains in the air ahead of an uncertain summer with it remaining unclear if he will return to Arteta’s squad for next season or be sent away on a fourth successive loan.
