Nice manager Patrick Vieira is interested in taking Arsenal defender William Saliba on loan when the January transfer window opens, according to reports in France.
The 19-year-old has not even made his debut for the Gunners since arriving at the club in the summer, with his game time being restricted to appearances for the Under 23s.
Manager Mikel Arteta insists Saliba needs more experience before being selected for the first team, and it appears a return to France is on cards. Fans on Twitter are not convinved that the £27m signing should be loaned out in the New Year:
All arteta's fault
— chesz101 (@chesz101) December 2, 2020
27m to go on loan
— Nii Laryea (@JakeOtubuah) December 2, 2020
If Arteta thinks Chambers, Holding or Mari is better than Saliba then that's worrying
— TheRoyalOfArsenal (@EmiratesEra2006) December 2, 2020
It’s not that he isn’t good enough. He didn’t get the game time he wanted and needed last year with Injuries and personal life before he came back so Mikel feels he needs to get game time under his belt and then come the summer once the deadwood have gone, he’ll be in with Gabi
— Michael Heather (@MichaelHeathe20) December 2, 2020
Arteta thinks he's not good enough ?⚪
— ?? ?⚪ (@GonnerBrain) December 2, 2020
This is prolly the best loan option. Being able to play under an Arsenal legend instead of going back to St Etienne regretting his decision to come here and wanting to move elsewhere. I think Vieira will be able to convince him to trust the process so he still has interest in us.
— Bopcast (@Bopcast1) December 2, 2020
What a waste for players like saliba and sokratis just there. Why the hell didnt arsenal loan out few defenders. Got so many !
— Peter DF (@EastAsianPeter) December 2, 2020
we need him now.
— Terminal 5 Please (@markshirlaw) December 2, 2020
He deserves better than how he is being treated here. All the best Saliba
— Last Word Gooner (@LastWordGooner) December 2, 2020
Why we keeping him from balling..
— jeffu (@AmutallaJeff) December 2, 2020
Saliba’s situation has left many supporters scratching their heads. Surely the Frenchman could have gained the experience necessary playing in the Europa League and in cup competitions this campaign?
As it stands, it seems he’ll have to sit tight for another month before possibly making the switch to Nice or another French club.