Arrived on July 15 in Marseille, William Saliba, loaned for the season by the Gunners, was quick to conquer a whole people. From the top of his 20 years, the child of Bondy has, in fact, quickly established himself as the real taulier of the Olympian defence. In the figures, this also translates into 35 matches played in full out of the 36 played by OM in all competitions. In fact, the serenity released by the captain of the France U23 team is illustrated by some life-saving returns and an ability to revive much appreciated by his coach. Technically comfortable, impassable and reassuring for his friends in the defense, the former Stéphanois is playing, for the time being, an almost perfect score in the Marseille city. Having become one of Jorge Sampaoli’s key men, Saliba exudes a charisma and confusing leadership to watch over Pau Lopez’s goals. So how can you not want to keep it? This is in any case the wish displayed by its president Pablo Longoria.
Asked by Provence this week, the Marseille president thus confirmed his desire to keep William Saliba next season. A task that does not look easy, especially since the 20-year-old defender, under contract with Arsenal until June 2024, arrived in the form of a loan with no option to buy. An established contractual situation which does not however seem to dampen the ardor of the Marseille board. In this context, The Team even reveals, this Sunday, that discussions will be started in March between the Marseille club and the player. And, as such, Pablo Longoria seems to have several options (although the threat of a recruitment ban still hangs over OM).
OM will have to fight to keep William Saliba!
Conquered by its central hinge Ben White-Gabriel, Arsenal does not however intend to let William Saliba slip away in whom the London leaders place great hopes and concede to see the future with him. Therefore, to convince the Gunners to separate definitively from the current number 2 of OM, “The Team” indicates that the Marseille leaders will have to make an offer of at least 30 million euros. A substantial amount for the third in Ligue 1, moreover at a time when its owner Frank McCourt is putting pressure on his staff to recover cash. Despite everything, hope remains present and there is no doubt that OM’s qualification for the next Champions League could also be a strong argument in claiming to keep the young defensive talent.
Finally, the daily specifies, moreover, that the Marseillais could also opt for a new loan, the best way to avoid having to take out the checkbook and pay the compensation mentioned above. If this option seems even more realistic, it will not be given there either, since it will most certainly be a paying loan, much more expensive than the one obtained last July. To keep his precious defensive asset and build a certain stability around him, Pablo Longoria is therefore warned: he will have to break the bank anyway. And this, not to mention the strong competition that awaits the boss of OM since The Team also specifies the interest “from two big Spanish clubs” as well as English and German stables. The ambitions are clear, the obstacles presented. Now it’s up to you to play President Longoria.
