William Saliba could be set for another loan move away from Arsenal.
The 19-year-old defender was signed by the Gunners last summer, but was immediately returned to Saint-Etienne for a season-long loan.
Saliba impressed during the 2019/20 Ligue 1 season and returned to Arsenal this summer with the hope of breaking into the first team set-up.
However, Mikel Arteta is yet to use him in the senior set up, and reports emerged on Friday that talks over a potential loan deal to Rennes had taken place.
Rennes boss Julien Stephan confirmed that, with GFFN quoting him as saying: “William Saliba is an option.
“He is an interesting player, he is coming out of an appealing season with Saint-Etienne, even if it seems more complicated with Arsenal.”
The comments would have come as a shock to Arsenal fans, who were hoping to see more of Saliba in a new-look defence that includes summer signing Gabriel Magalhaes.
Here’s how they reacted to the comments on Twitter:
@Boomer_Gooner: If we’re going to loan out Saliba, doesn’t it make perfect sense for Arsenal to find a Premier League suitor? Why loan him back out to league that is not consistent with our standard of quality?
@kodak_ak: Saliba to go out on loan again... mad.
@FrankieWhite97: Gutted we ain’t going to see Saliba this season to be fair.
@rocksteady147: Stan Kroenke and all the boards need to back Arteta, they shouldn't send Saliba on loan. He needs time with the team, train and get playing time.
@SalibaEra_: Come back stronger William Saliba, we love you.
@sam67306018: What’s funny is no one knew who Saliba was before last season. The club from the blue acquired him. Now everyone is upset that he is being loaned. He is 19 and if that is the best way to develop him then let’s support it!
@ItsScottHunter: Don’t agree with this one, we brought him for 27million and hasn’t played a competitive minute for us the only way he is going to adapt to the league and team is by playing - if Gabriel is playing why isn’t Saliba ?! Saliba has trained longer with the team but doesn’t get a look in !
@FrizzAFC: If we are gonna loan Saliba and he doesn’t mind staying in England we should definitely try to give him some EPL experience.
@Churned_: Tell me why we're sending Saliba out on loan again, please...
@thejasonly: Why loan out Saliba? If there ever was a season to gain experience it would the current one. Our team is transitioning we should have our core/future players play together. At least give him a run in the cup game.
