William Saliba is critical of his own recent performances, as he confirms plans to discuss his long-term future this summer.
Speaking to RMC Sport (via Sport Witness), Arsenal loanee William Saliba has admitted that he hasn’t been at his best for the last couple of months.
“Since February, I’ve been very average,” Saliba said. “There’s no need to hide.
“I know that I need to work, I’m a young player, but it’s no excuse. I’m going to give everything to get back to my good level.”
Marseille’s performances have certainly dipped, as they’ve gone from one defeat in 13 league games before February 1st to three defeats in six league games since. They’re yet to keep a Ligue 1 clean sheet in that period.
But it wasn’t long ago that Saliba was named Marseille’s January Player of the Month, and it was inevitable he’d go through a tougher period of form at some stage.
The French club still seem very keen to keep him, and on that subject, Saliba says: “We’ll sit down at the end of the season”.
Football.London report that they understand William Saliba would prefer to prove himself with Arsenal than join Marseille on a permanent deal this summer.
Arsenal will reportedly review Saliba’s situation at the end of the season, as well as holding preliminary talks over a new contract towards the end of his loan spell.
The update comes hot on the heels of reports from France that Marseille want to keep Saliba, and are planning to hold talks with him over a permanent move.
La Provence reported that discussions will start soon between the player and his loan team. But L’Equipe added that Arsenal would want at least €30m for a sale, which is likely to price Marseille out of the market.
Marseille have already agreed to sign up two Arsenal players in 2022, with Sead Kolasinac joining permanently in January, and Marseille chief Pablo Longoria confirming that Matteo Guendouzi will sign at the end of the season.
Yet Longoria highlights that they’re just one of the parties involved in a potential deal to make Saliba the third.
“It’s a three-way question,” Longoria pointed out. “For the player’s owning club – Arsenal, the player, and Olympique de Marseille.
“We have to see our possibilities. He is very good here, we are very satisfied with his performance.
“William [Saliba] is one of the best young defenders I’ve seen in my career.
“After all, everything depends on the three parties. It’s a matter of market value. But we have extraordinary relations with Arsenal.”