The nine words William Saliba told Arsenal star before his new transfer agreement
Ethan Nwaneri has revealed that he spoke to William Saliba before completing his loan move to Ligue 1 club Marseille.
Marseille have signed Nwaneri on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the youngster hoping for more game time in France.
The Gunners will hope to see the 18-year-old flourish in Ligue 1, the same way Saliba did during his 2022 loan to the French giants.
Nwaneri attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, with the likes of Bournemouth and Crystal Palace linked in recent weeks.
But there are different plans for Nwaneri, who signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal during the summer.
Ethan Nwaneri reveals what William Saliba told him
Nwaneri was on the bench as Arsenal beat Inter Milan 3-1 on Tuesday, but there was an expectation that the midfielder would fly to France on Wednesday.
The two clubs came to an agreement in the hours before the game, with the England youth international set to join on a dry loan.
The deal will reportedly be subject to a sizable loan fee, which will be reduced depending on how many games Nwaneri features in.
The hopes are that the move will allow the 18-year-old to play regularly until the end of the season, allowing him to return to the Emirates Stadium ready to make an impact next season.
The midfielder is incredibly highly rated at Arsenal, and carries an expectation that he will be an integral part of their future.
Nwaneri was pictured arriving in Marseille on Wednesday, and, according to Massilia Zone on X, revealed that he had spoken to Saliba before the move.
“William Saliba told me that it’s one of the best clubs in the world,” the 18-year-old told the fans and media welcoming him to France.
Saliba retains legendary status at Marseille
Saliba spent just a year on loan with Marseille, but his impact was so resounding that fans of the French club have always kept him dear.
The defender won the league’s young player of the year award and had looked like making his loan permanent at one stage.
| William Saliba | Ligue 1 2021-22 |
| Appearances | 36 |
| Successful dribbles | 31 |
| Tackles | 54 |
| Recoveries | 260 |
| Duels won | 142 |
Saliba’s relationship with Mikel Arteta had reportedly broken down, with Marseille willing to break the bank to extend the stay of the centre-back.
But ultimately, the 24-year-old returned to Arsenal and has been an integral cog of the back-line ever since.
Marseille fans may have to brace themselves for a similar type of heartbreak, should Nwaneri find his best form over the next five months.