ARSENAL are set to make a surprise U-turn on William Saliba and keep him at the club despite interest from Fulham, it is being reported.
The defender had been tipped to go out on loan throughout the window and has multiple admirers at home and abroad.
Despite months of speculation, William Saliba looks set to stay in North LondonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But now manager Mikel Arteta looks set to keep the 19-year-old at the club and allow him to develop there.
Saliba’s move abroad fell through on deadline day and he was left out of Arsenal’s Europa League squad, prompting speculation he could still be on his way before the domestic window closes on October 16.
But the Athletic report the Frenchman will stay at the Emirates until January at least, despite reported interest from Fulham and Brentford.
The report also says that Saliba could be in Arteta’s Premier League squad, which will be announced on October 20.
Other reports have suggested the youngster is unlikely to be given much first-team football, even if he stays at the club, as Arteta still believes he has developing to do.
ESPN claim that the Arsenal manager wants him to improve on defending set-pieces and mature decision-making on the pitch.
The Gunners gaffer has publicly stated he doesn’t think Saliba is yet up to scratch.
Following Arsenal’s penalty win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup earlier this month, Arteta said: “He had year last where Arsenal essentially loaned him to Saint-Etienne and that was a transition year for him.
“For many reasons, that wasn’t the transition year that he needed because he had a lot of injuries, he had some personal issues and obviously with COVID and the French league getting cancelled, he didn’t have that year, so he needs that year of transition.
“He needs that year of transition and we are trying to make the right decisions for him to make the best possible year of transition for him to have the player we want for our future.”
Mikel Arteta pairs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes in Arsenal training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
