Ben White to Arsenal transfer could be bad news for William Saliba but decision not final

Arsenal: First fixtures of 2021/22 Premier League season

William Saliba could be facing a third successive season out on loan as Arsenal close in on one of their top defensive targets. Brighton’s Ben White could be on his way to the Emirates after a fresh £50million bid was launched by the Gunners.

Saliba arrived at Arsenal in 2019 under the weight of great expectations, commanding a sizeable £27m fee when he joined from St Etienne as a teenager.

The two seasons since have both been spent on loan in France, firstly back at St Etienne before some eye-catching displays at the heart of Nice’s defence as they sauntered to a ninth-place finish.

Although Saliba is yet to register a senior appearance for Mikel Arteta’s side, time is still on his side given he only turned 20 in March.

Even in three years’ time, Saliba will still be considered young for a centre-back which is why The Athletic claim a permanent move away is totally off the cards for the French defender.

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William Saliba is yet to appear for Arsenal’s senior side (Image: GETTY)

They also claim that a final decision is yet to be made as to whether the youngster will be the subject of a third season-long loan deal.

Arteta said recently: “When we finish the season, we will sit down and discuss the roles of every member of the squad and how they can fulfil that role and he’s our player so he’ll be back here for sure.

“After that, we will make a decision based on the agreement of the role that each player is going to have in the squad.”

Saliba would have almost certainly been in the first-team fold for the upcoming season were it not for the impending arrival of England international White.

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After seeing their initial £40m bid rejected by the Seagulls, an improved package worth £50m has brought the two clubs considerably closer to an agreement.

The 23-year-old was a late addition to England’s squad for Euro 2020 after Trent Alexander-Arnold missed out through injury.

It has been a rapid rise for White given last season was his first in the top flight, but he certainly impressed with his versatility, regularly featuring at centre-back and in midfield.

The Gunners were thought to be chasing Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, but the prospect of shelling out an even bigger transfer fee to lure him away from Spain was a major obstacle in the deal.

Ben White could be on his way to Arsenal (Image: GETTY)

Despite Saliba’s potential loan move away, Arsenal were always in need of proven centre-backs with their ranks looking down to the barebones after David Luiz’s exit from the club earlier this summer.

Although the decision is not final, another season away from the Emirates would not necessarily spell the end for Saliba in north London.