According to RMC (h/t GFFN), Marseille are still interested in signing Arsenal defender William Saliba and they are now ready to spend the big bucks.
Saliba spent the previous season out on loan to the French club and Marseille were hoping that Arsenal will be ready to send him back for another loan spell.
However, Mikel Arteta is not willing to send him out on yet another loan deal which is why Marseille will now try to sign him on a permanent deal. As per the report, the Ligue 1 side are ready to pay €25-30m for the signing of William Saliba.
Saliba had a wonderful season with Marseille and even he is ready to move back because of regular playing time as well as the opportunity to play in the Champions League next season.
🚨 Marseille are ready to make an effort to sign William Saliba on a permanent basis and are willing to spend €25M if necessary.
(Source: RMC Sport) pic.twitter.com/W4C8wjb9LI
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) June 24, 2022
Will Mikel Arteta allow William Saliba to head back to Marseille?
This latest proposition from Marseille is very lucrative because Arsenal are chasing a lot of players and €25-30 million will be of big help.
The Gunners are about to wrap up the signing of Gabriel Jesus but they are still chasing players like Tielemans and Raphinha.
With the World Cup coming up, William Saliba is desperate for game time and since Arsenal already have so many good centre-backs, the Frenchman will most likely be pushing for an exit this summer.
Ben White and Gabriel are the current first-choice central defensive pairing for the club and Arteta also has Rob Holding as a backup so it will be very difficult for Saliba to come in and get consistent starts.
However, Arsenal are chasing Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez and we think if the Gunners can get him on board then Mikel Arteta will allow William Saliba to move out.
Martinez is a central defender who can also play as a full-back so if he is coming in then Marseille have a very good chance of signing Saliba but apart from that, there’s no way Arteta will allow the 21-year-old to leave.
