Marseille are keen to get their hands on William Saliba but face competition from Nice and Newcastle United.

Quite what Mikel Arteta plans to do with William Saliba is anyone’s guess. Although it’s been stated that Saliba will get a chance with the squad in pre-season, Arsenal’s interest in Ben White has thrown a real shadow over Saliba’s future at the club.

As such, a number of clubs are circling, hoping to get their hands on him either on loan or a permanent basis.

Nice are one of his suitors after a successful loan spell there last season while Newcastle United are hoping they can get him on loan.

That move might not be a bad idea if he still needs to impress Arteta and show that he can adapt to English football. He would undoubtedly get a good defensive education at St James’s park. He would also only have one year left on his Arsenal deal by the end of it, however, and might be reluctant to sign a new one after being dicked around so much. Could you blame him?

Marseille have been linked with quite a lot of ex-Arsenal players this summer. They are trying to talk both Francis Coquelin and David Luiz into signing while Stephy Mavididi has also been linked. Matteo Guendouzi, meanwhile, has already, apparently, agreed a four-year deal.

Plus, they also want Saliba.

Whatever happens with Saliba this summer, it is unlikely we will get a definitive answer until late in to the window.

Pre-season starts in around a month, the Premier League on 14 August and the window doesn’t close until 11pm on 31 August 2021 and Arteta will want to at least give the impression he gave the 20-year-old a fair shout.