William Saliba looks set to make his international debut for France on Friday night, amid praise from international teammate and club rival Hugo Lloris.
Speaking on RMC radio in France, Loic Tanzi reported that William Saliba appeared to join the group of starters in training, in place of Jules Kounde.
As a result, he’s expected to make the starting lineup against the Ivory Coast.
Spurs goalkeeper and potential France teammate in that lineup, Hugo Lloris, has been heaping praise on Saliba.
“What he’s doing at a club like Marseille at 21 years of age, that’s impressive,” Lloris said.
“He’s got this calm strength about him. We feel him ready and serene. He’s got the assets to go up another level in his career.
“If the chance presents itself, there’s nothing better for him to play his first game for France at the Vélodrome.”
There was already plenty of speculation surrounding Saliba’s Arsenal future after his positive season with Marseille, but that has only increased in the wake of his call-up to the senior French national team.
Speaking to RMC Sport in an interview published on Wednesday morning, Saliba says he’s feeling good with the Ligue 1 club.
Whilst he’s focusing on Marseille’s targets in the Champions League qualification race and the Europa Conference League knockouts for now, he confirms talks with Arsenal and the French side will take place after that.
“I’ve never hidden the fact that I feel good here. I don’t know what my future holds, there are still two months to go,” Saliba said (via GFFN).
“The most important thing is to qualify for the Champions League and go as far as possible in the Conference League.
“I think discussions will take place afterwards, at the end of May to early June, between Arsenal and Marseille – we’ll decide at that point.
“But staying on here would definitely not be a bad idea, on the contrary, I know the city, my teammates, my manager. But it doesn’t depend on me.”
Sam Dean reported on Monday morning that Arsenal were yet to open discussions with Saliba over his future at the club, but those talks were expected to take place soon.
As things stand, Dean suggests Arsenal haven’t given an indication over whether they’ll be offering Saliba a new deal, with his current contract to expire in 2024.