Arsenal did not offer William Saliba a new contract before opting to send the defender out on loan to Marseille, according to reports in England.
The Frenchman will have just two years remaining on his current deal when he comes back to the club next summer, and some fans on Twitter are concerned he will be sold on his return:
This doesn’t add up
— Ethan (@afcMedium) July 12, 2021
He’s done here. There’s no way he’s going to sign a new deal next summer.
— ‘ (@yajatdev_10) July 12, 2021
2024 doesnt seem very long term
— Abayomi Maja (@AbayomiMaja) July 12, 2021
Sounds very short term to me
— El Greco (@AC12603425) July 12, 2021
Lol why the hell would he even want to sign a new contract
— Aaron Adade (@AAdade9) July 12, 2021
If he was really in the club’s long term thinking then they would’ve extended his contract. He’ll have two years left on his contract next year and will probably be sold for a loss. It’s pathetic that’s he’s not being given any chance by Arteta.
— Bhavin (@Bhavin_174) July 12, 2021
If they really rated him, and thought this was a developmental move, they’d be extending his contract. He’ll have 2 years left after this loan – he’s a goner next summer. They are hoping he does well enough with Marseille to get their money back for him. Clearly not liked/rated
— The Real Twatterman (@twatterman) July 12, 2021
Arsenal fc is being run into the ground ?
— brandon sharif (@brandonsharif1) July 12, 2021
Basically the idea would be to sell him for some profit in 2022
— ⚽⚽ Sangbaran ⚽⚽ (@Sangbaran) July 13, 2021
It is a rather strange situation, to say the least. Saliba wasn’t brought in by manager Mikel Arteta so there is a suspicion that the Spaniard simply doesn’t rate the 20-year-old.
If that was the case, though, why send him out on loan for a second consecutive season? If Arteta simply feels he needs more time to develop his game, that would be understandable, but if the club spends £50m on Ben White, where would the Frenchman fit into the club’s plans then?
There is a feeling that, if he performs well at Marseille, it could push up his transfer value, so whether that is the motivation behind the loan, we shall have to wait and see.
