KEY POINTS

  • Newcastle United and Southhampton want William Saliba on loan
  • Mikel Arteta aims to give Saliba more time to develop courtesy of a loan spell
  • Saliba's next stint may determine if he will ever get regular minutes under Arsenal

William Saliba is more likely to be loaned out than sold, and there are multiple teams interested.

Among the teams leading the race for the French defender’s services are Southampton and Newcastle.

According to Foot Mercato, as many as seven different clubs are now exploring the possibility of getting Saliba from the Gunners but on loan.

This comes not long after it appeared he would be sold before the transfer window ends.

Saliba appears to have done enough to capture interest. Aside from Southampton and Newcastle, other teams allegedly interested in the services of the 20-year-old defender include Lille, Marseille, Nice, Stade Rennais and Bayer Leverkusen.

With multiple options, Arsenal will reportedly decide on what is best for the French national.

In a way, the loan deal may be an indication that Mikel Arteta is not ready to permanently part ways with Saliba.

For now, Arteta feels that Saliba is not yet ready to play in the English Premier League.

With the team looking at other players to fill in the midfield, loaning out Saliba anew is a good way to help him develop further where he will get regular playing time.

Under Steve Bruce, Saliba could finally show how he can fare in the Premier League.

Joe Willock is a clear example after he blossomed into a star with Newcastle United.

The same holds for Southampton. Ralph Hasenhuttl has been known to guide and hone the skills of young players.

Arsenal followers prefer to see the French midfielder stay at the Emirates Stadium, and this appears to be the sensible route to go.

Nice's French defender William Saliba
Nice's French defender William Saliba Getty Images | Nicolas TUCAT / AFP

This may somehow address the insinuations that Arteta is overlooking the value of Saliba, who has been loaned out twice since arriving in 2019.

A third loan spell looms but is seen as a way to help Saliba further develop.

But after this season and assuming he does make an impact, the French player’s ties with Arsenal will be monitored to see if he will ever get that chance to earn a spot on Arteta’s regular lineup.

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