‘I hope he stays here!’ – Matteo Guendouzi desperate for Arsenal defender William Saliba to stay at Marseille | Football

Saliba joined the Gunners from Saint-Etienne for £35 million in 2019 but he has not featured in a competitive game for the Gunners, having returned to his homeland in a series of loan moves.

The 21-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign with Marseille this term, playing the full 90 minutes in 36 of their 37 league games so far with the club on the brink of sealing Champions League qualification.

Like Saliba, Guendouzi is on loan at Marseille from Arsenal with an option to buy in his contract.

With the midfielder likely to remain at the Stade Veledrome, he hopes Saliba remains alongside him.

‘I hope William stays here. He’s having a great season, he deserves everything that has happened to him,’ Guendouzi said.

‘He’s a great guy outside, he’s had a lot of great games.’

It remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta sees Saliba as part of his first-team plans for next season.

Should he be deemed surplus to requirements again, Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli is eager to sign him up.

‘I hope that there is a possibility for us to keep a player like him [Saliba], who knows the team,’ Sampaoli said.

‘I don’t know if it depends on OM, William or Arsenal. I don’t know the possibilities in this case.’

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