ARSENAL could face a fight to keep hold of William Saliba this summer, with three ‘major’ clubs reportedly enquiring for his signature.
The French international is out of contract at the Emirates at the end of next season.
Saliba, 24, had been a major part of Arsenal’s title charge this year, helping the team to a total of 11 clean sheets in his 27 Premier League appearances.
But, after picking up a back injury in Arsenal’s Europa League round of 16 second leg loss to Sporting in March, the centre-back was ruled out for the season.
And according to French source RMC Sport, three unnamed “major” clubs have enquired about Saliba’s signature.
Arsenal are keen not to let Saliba go without a fight however, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta approving plans to offer the Frenchman a new deal.
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The Gunners sat eight points clear at the top of the table when Saliba suffered a fracture to his back but have since been hunted down by a ruthless Manchester City.
They have kept just one clean sheet in nine games since Saliba was sidelined, with costly draws to Liverpool, West Ham and Southampton costing them in the title race.
They have since been thrashed by title-rivals Manchester City and Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton as the Gunners’ title challenge has gone up in smoke.
Arsenal will look to bounce back from Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest this Saturday.
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Arteta aimed to keep spirits up ahead of the clash, telling Sky Sports: “Mathematically it’s still possible.
“We need to digest the result and the performance in the second half, understand why and have a different reaction (against Forest)”
The Gunners will aim to keep their feint title hopes alive at The City Ground this Saturday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
