William Saliba: Arsenal defender to spend season on loan at Marseille

Saliba has spent time on loan in France, including the second half of last season with Nice in Ligue 1

Arsenal and France Under-20 international William Saliba will join French side Marseille on loan for the upcoming season.

The centre-back, 20, signed for the Gunners from St Etienne in 2019 for a reported £27m but has yet to make his first-team debut.

He was loaned back to St Etienne for the 2019-20 campaign and spent the second half of last season with Nice.

Arsenal technical director Edu said the move would be good for Saliba's career.

He told the club's website: "Together with William, we have decided it will be good for his continued development to spend another season on loan.

"William joined us as an 18-year-old, and he is still only 20, so he is still developing all the time.

"William is a player with strong natural ability and next season has the potential to be really beneficial for him at Marseille, a good club.

"To play another season in Ligue 1 will be very important for his development."

Arsenal start the new Premier League season at promoted side Brentford on Friday, 13 August at 20:00 BST.

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