Leeds United and Fulham are interested in taking Arsenal defender William Saliba on loan, according to reports in the French media.
Despite the club spending £27m on the 19-year-old, manager Mikel Arteta does not believe the centre-back is ready to play in the first team and is open to the player leaving on a temporary basis to gain more experience.
Supporters on Twitter are, however, perplexed as to why the Gunners would allow Saliba to leave for another Premier League team if he is isn’t ready to play in the English top-flight:
Our outgoing business is pathetic
— Bo (@gimmibox) October 3, 2020
are we dumb
— Henry? (@AFCHenry19) October 3, 2020
He's not going to another English club on loan. Was either back to France or nothing at all
— Jo?️sh (@joshorjoash) October 3, 2020
So, Saliba is so bad that he was named the best young player in the french League and rated among the best by all? There is something else besides the lies @Arsenal are sending out. The club's decisions most times are tied to financial considerations and he is a valuable asset.
— INVICIBLES (@abkayus) October 3, 2020
the central defense should be Saliba and Gabriel (when passing over a 4-2-3-1) That's it. David luiz is not a competition for Saliba, just a leader in the locker room. That's all.
— Donis (@__Gooner) October 3, 2020
Weird.
— Gunner (@Just1886) October 3, 2020
Having not strengthened own squad isn't enough. Now we are gonna strengthen Leeds. Great going.
— நான் ஜில் (@nan_jillu) October 3, 2020
This is a mistake.
— XhakaLacaDingdong (@DingdongLaca) October 3, 2020
Fulham loan would ruin him
— Jeandre (@GylfiPleasuress) October 3, 2020
Saliba has yet to make his debut for Arsenal, which is a big surprise considering the hype around the defender following his arrival from Saint-Etienne, but his lack of games at senior level has been cited by Arteta as a major issue.
Due to injury and the curtailment of the French league season, the defender only made 17 appearances last campaign, and it is felt that he needs more matches to develop his game further.