ARSENAL legend Patrick Vieira wants to take William Saliba on loan, according to reports.
The former Gunners and France midfielder is now the manager at Nice in the pair’s homeland.
William Saliba is reportedly a January loan target for Nice boss – and Arsenal legend – Patrick VieiraCredit: Rex Features
And according to But Football Club in France, the Ligue 1 side have been in touch to check on the defender’s availability as they hope to hijack Saint-Etienne’s swoop – and Vieira supported the approach.
Arsenal signed Saliba from Saint-Etienne in 2019 for £27million before loaning him back to the club he joined aged 16.
But despite returning to London Colney when the loan expired in the summer, Saliba is yet to feature in Mikel Arteta’s senior side.
He has made just six Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy appearances.
And after failing to secure a loan move away before the transfer window closed in October, Saliba is expected to make another temporary switch when the market reopens in January.
Arteta even admitted he is ‘fed up’ with the situation after failing to find him a loan move and leaving him out of the Europa League squad.
Nice look set to be without experienced centre-back Dante for the remainder of the season after he suffered knee ligament damage.
The French Under-20 international would make a suitable replacement.
But it is understood Saliba would prefer a return to boyhood club Saint-Etienne – and the French club would certainly welcome him back.
Former Gunners full-back Mathieu Debuchy, now Saint-Etienne’s skipper, said: “We know William’s qualities. He was very impressive at Saint-Etienne.
“Unfortunately for him at Arsenal the start didn’t go the way he wanted it to.
“If William wants to come back this winter he will be welcome and he will have the advantage of knowing the team.”
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Patrick Vieira is the man in charge at Nice but faces competition from Saint-EtienneCredit: AFP or licensors
Arsenal boss Arteta admits he is ‘fed up’ with William Saliba situation
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
