According to Kicker, as cited by Ronan Murphy, Bayer Leverkusen are on the hunt for William Saliba. The Arsenal youngster has emerged as an ideal target for the Bundesliga outfit as they looking for defensive reinforcements following the departure of Aleksandar Dragovic. The Gunners want Edmond Tapsoba in return, but the deal is unlikely to be sanctioned by the Leverkusen board.
William Saliba’s Spell At Arsenal So Far
William Saliba joined Arsenal in 2019 in a €30 million move from Saint-Etienne. He was immediately loaned back to the Ligue 1 outfit for another season before returning to Emirates last summer.
Unfortunately, Saliba had issues with lack of fitness and was not properly involved in Mikel Arteta’s first-team plans. He failed to make a single first-team appearance for Arsenal during the first half of the campaign despite being a part of the team.
As a result, the defender was shipped out to OGC Nice on a short-term loan deal in January. The Frenchman quickly became a regular for the Ligue 1 outfit featuring in 20 league games but wasn’t overly impressive as Les Algions finished in mid-table with the second-worst defensive record in the top half of the league standings.
Saliba is expected to return to Emirates in the summer ahead of the new season, though his future still remains uncertain.
Should Arsenal Cash In On Saliba?
Arsenal might undergo a major squad overhaul in the summer, especially in the defensive department as they look to get rid of players like David Luiz, Sead Kolasinac and even Hector Bellerin.
Saliba, in that regard, could be vital in offering the depth needed in the defence. But at the same time, he hasn’t quite got going at Emirates and was not a signing made by Arteta. A sale, in that regard, could be a smart move as it will serve as a financial boost for the club.
Leverkusen might be a better option for Saliba, as Die Werkself are set to be without three key defenders next season in Lars Bender, Sven Bender and Aleksandar Dragovic. The Frenchman will thus have to compete with Jonathan Tah and Edmond Tapsoba for a place in the first team under new coach Gerardo Seoane.
Arsenal should consider selling the youngster permanently, should Arteta feel uncertain over his quality to perform in the Premier League. It could go a long way in helping him target his desired options in the upcoming summer transfer window.
