Mikel Arteta has reportedly decided against selling William Saliba this summer as the defender prepares to make his way back from a loan spell in France.
The decision has been made quicker than expected due to the interest of German outfit, Bayer Leverkusen.
According to Kicker reports, the Bundesliga outfit have been tracking the youngster's performance throughout his time in Nice and are ready to pounce.
Saliba was bought in the summer of 2019 for a fee rising to £27million but is still waiting for his debut for the London club.
He was loaned back to Saint Etienne in the 2019/2020 season before heading to Nice for the most recent campaign, where he made an impression.
He has built a strong reputation for himself in France - making 20 appearances and even scoring one goal - and as a result, has caught the eye of Leverkusen.
However, according to Football.London, Saliba will return to the club in July and get an opportunity to impress in pre-season.
Despite question marks over his future, he will seemingly not be leaving Arsenal this summer.
Will William Saliba become a first-team player at Arsenal? Comment below
Arteta had previously spoken about the Frenchman back in February and assured Arsenal fans that he planned to bring Saliba back for pre-season.
"He will come back for pre-season and he will be with us," the Spaniard said.
"Hopefully he will come back after playing a number of games and his performance raising and his development progressing in the right way."
"But a lot of things have happened to him he's a long-term player for us and we need to protect him as well. And giving him three or four games is not enough."
"And now he needs to play, play and play and enjoy his profession as well. And in order to do that I think we found the right club with him.
"He's very happy to got there now. Hopefully he can enjoy his football and be ready for us for next season."
Saliba could have a perfect opportunity to seize a first-team place with David Luiz leaving the club.
