Saliba could sign for Saint-Etienne on loan in January

William Saliba could sign for Saint-Etienne on loan in the January transfer window, according to French media outlet But! Football Club via Sport Witness. 

The 19 year old signed for Arsenal for £27 million in the summer of 2019 from Saint-Etienne and was immediately loaned back to the French side for the 2019/20 campaign. He linked up with the Gunners this summer but is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.

Manager Mikel Arteta has talked about how last season was supposed to be a year of transition for the central defender but due to injuries, the pandemic and personal issues, his loan spell at Saint-Etienne did not work out the way the North London club intended.

There were rumours that he would head back to Les Verts on loan on deadline day but a move could not be completed due to administrative challenges. He was then linked with a move to a Championship club which did not end up materialising. 

Arteta has said the Frenchman is looking good in training and even lamented his absence from the Europa League squad due to injuries in that department. Saliba is believed to be ‘fed up with his situation’ in North London and is ‘considering more and more about a new loan at Saint-Etienne’ in January. 

It is believed that the French side are also interested in signing the player on loan at the start of next year and that there is an easy deal to be done for all parties involved. The Gunners will be keen on maximising the talented young defender’s chances of getting regular game time.