Arsenal idol issues emphatic verdict on William Saliba re-joining Marseille after chief’s reveal
William Saliba will be part of the first-team squad at Arsenal next season in spite of his recent comments.
That is the view of former Gunners and Everton striker Kevin Campbell, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 21-year-old’s future at the Emirates.
Saliba enjoyed a highly successful loan spell at Marseille this season and won Ligue 1’s young player of the year award.
As quoted by GFFN (22 May), the centre-half said he wishes to return to Marseille next season to play in the Champions League.
Speaking to RMC Sport, as quoted by the Standard (25 May), Marseille president Pablo Longoria revealed that the club have not given up hope of re-signing Saliba.
When asked by Football Insider if a return to Marseille could be on the cards, Campbell issued a one-word verdict: “No.
“He is an Arsenal player. He is going nowhere.
“All of these comments in the media… Saliba said this, Saliba said that, it doesn’t matter. He is an Arsenal player. He is under contract and the club want him back.
“Arsenal did what is best for the player and the club last summer by getting him back to France. He has played regular football this season and it’s gone really well.
“Now he is ready. He is coming back and he is going to be integrated into the first team squad. It is as simple as that.
“A player can say what he likes. If he is under contract somewhere else there is nothing he can do about it.”
In other news, Arsenal are expected to ‘prioritise’ £25million signing over Ruben Neves after journalist’s update.