Arsenal starlet William Saliba has emerged as a loan target for Newcastle United, according to reports.
The French defender joined the Gunners two years ago for a fee in the region of £30 million, but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the north London side - instead developing while on loan in Ligue 1 with former club Saint-Etienne and more recently Nice.
The 20-year-old may have a clearer pathway into the Arsenal side next season though as centre-backs David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi and Sokratis have all left the Emirates in the last six months.
However, interest is building from a number of clubs if Saliba is loaned out again this summer and Premier League side Newcastle United are interested in his services, according to the Mail Online.
The Magpies are in the market for a centre-back this summer and may target Saliba if they can't land Celtic's Kristoffer Ajer, who is reportedly their number one target.
Arsenal's Joe Willock had a very successful loan spell in the north east, scoring in seven consecutive Premier League games before the end of the season, but Mikel Arteta has been impressed with Saliba this year and hopes to have him in the squad come August.
"William is our player for sure and that's the decision we're going to be taking soon," Arteta said last month.
"When we finish the season we will sit down and discuss the roles of every member in our squad and how they can fulfil that role.
"He's our player so he'll be back here for sure. After that, we will make a decision based on an agreement of the role each player is going to have in our squad."
