Marseille president Pablo Longoria has begun his attempt to keep William Saliba with the club next season, for another loan.

Marseille's French defender William Saliba (C) and teammates celebrate at the end of the French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Marseille on January 7, 2022. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
Marseille’s French defender William Saliba (C) and teammates celebrate at the end of the French L1 football match between Bordeaux and Marseille on January 7, 2022. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

French outlet Le Phoceen (via GFFN) report that Marseille president Pablo Longoria is currently attempting to convince Arsenal’s William Saliba to remain in France beyond the end of his loan spell.

Longoria is in talks with the player and his representatives, arguing that Saliba needs to keep starting every match to have the best chance of making France’s World Cup squad this year.

Saliba has expressed an interest in staying with Marseille, but won’t make a decision until he’s held talks with Arsenal.

Perhaps surprisingly, Longoria is pushing for another loan move, rather than a permanent transfer.

That could be because the strong interest in Saliba makes it difficult for Marseille to compete with some of the other potential bidders. Atletico Madrid are one of many clubs to be linked with Saliba recently.

Marseille may see a loan as their one opportunity to convince Arsenal to pick them over other options.

But the other side of the picture is that Arsenal would be foolish to loan Saliba again when he’ll only have two years left on his deal.

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French defender Jonathan Clauss (L) and French defender William Saliba (R) pose prior to the friendly football match between France and South Africa at Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, near Lille, northern France, on March 29, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The Athletic report that if William Saliba decides to move on from Arsenal this summer, he’d have other options in France, Spain, and England.

Sam Dean added 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.