William Saliba is set for another loan return to France with the Arsenal youngster expected to sign for Nice in search of regular first-team football.
Saliba is yet to make a senior appearance for Arsenal and was left out of the Gunners’ squad for the Europa League group stages, having returned to the Emirates this summer after spending the 2019/20 campaign on loan with former club Saint-Etienne.
The teenager moved to the Premier League in a £27m deal in 2019 but has failed to progress as hoped, with Goal reporting that Arsenal will now sanction another loan deal in a bid to accelerate the youngster’s development.
Saliba will undergo a medical on Monday ahead of a loan move to join the Cote d’Azur club until the end of the season, though there is no option for a permanent switch with Arsenal understood to view the centre-back as part of their long-term plans.
Arsenal are currently overstocked with centre-back options, though an opportunity to compete for a first-team place is expected to open up for the 19-year-old next season with the contracts of Shkodran Mustafi, David Luiz and Sokratis all set to expire this summer.
Saliba will now be handed an opportunity to kick-start his career following a frustrating period on the sidelines, with Nice – who currently sit 12th in Ligue 1 – covering the youngster’s wages during his temporary stint.
Read – One position each Big Six club needs to strengthen in the January transfer window
Read Also – Six of the best young players in the Premier League so far this season
