Arsenal defender William Saliba is being eyed by Gunners legend Patrick Vieira ahead of the winter transfer window.
According to But! Football Club, Vieira is on the lookout for a defender and Saliba fits the bill, currently frozen out of Mikel Arteta's first-team plans.
Saliba was signed as a promising talent in 2019 and after a year back at former club Saint-Etienne, excitement built among Arsenal fans ahead of this season to see him inaction.
But the 19-year-old still hasn't managed to break into Arteta's plans with Saliba yet to feature in any of Arsenal's first-team games in the Premier League, Europa League or Carabao Cup.
Reports now claim Saliba could be offered a temporary exit in the form a loan move to Nice until the end of the season under former Gunners midfielder Vieira, who is looking to bolster his defence after losing Dante to injury.
Though, Nice are not the only club in the hunt according to the report, with Saliba's former club Saint-Etienne said to be keen on re-signing the youngster on loan for the second time.
Saint-Etienne attempted to sign Saliba on loan in the summer but the move broke down due to a late disagreement over wage structure, leaving him to battle for a spot at the Emirates Stadium.
Saint-Etienne's captain, Mathieu Debuchy, a former Arsenal player, recently said Saliba would be welcomed back to the club should a move come about, perhaps leaving nice with an uphill battle.
"William… we know his qualities. He was very impressive at Saint-Etienne," he said.
"Unfortunately for him at Arsenal the start didn’t go the way he wanted it to, I think.
"If William wants to come back this winter he will be welcome and he will have the advantage of knowing the team."
