The end of the season promises to be thrilling on the pitch, since OM are still in the race to grab a second place synonymous with direct qualification for the next Champions League, but also behind the scenes where the negotiations have already begun. in view of the next summer transfer window. Olympian defender William Saliba, among others, will cause a lot of ink to flow. OM want to keep it next season but FC Barcelona to come and encroach on this file.
William Saliba, suspended against Strasbourg, could play his last match with OM tomorrow evening in Rennes. The question everyone is asking would be whether this is his last game of the season or his career at OM. As a reminder, the French international is on loan from Arsenal, without a purchase option. Thanks to his good season, many clubs would have already inquired about his situation.
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He was able to show his consistency, his maturity. He grew up as a player – Sampaoli
We hope to retain Saliba. Does it depend on OM? From the player? From Arsenal? I don’t know the possibilities yet. Saliba has progressed, it’s also linked to his development this season and his great playing time. He was able to show his consistency, his maturity. He grew up as a player. Jorge Sampaoli – Source: Press conference (05/12/2022)
Among the clubs interested, Atlético Madrid and Naples would have their sights on William Saliba and present the argument of playing in the next Champions League, barring a reversal of the situation. The Neapolitan club would be attentive to the situation of the Marseille defender since he could lose their titular central defender Kalidou Koulibaly (30 years old) during this summer transfer window.
🔝Arsenal want about 30 million euros for the French defender 🛡️ William Saliba to leave the team permanently. 🔴#AFC
🇮🇹 AC Milan
🇬🇧 Marseilles
🇪🇸Atletico Madrid pic.twitter.com/rrQ15U7JaZ— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) May 13, 2022
“His contract expires in 2023, recalls Nicolo Schira. If he does not extend it, Napoli could sell their central defender Koulibaly this summer. A meeting is scheduled with his agent Ramadani in the coming days. The specialist specifies that Chelsea and FC Barcelona could take action in stride, which could accelerate the departure of Saliba.
#Barca and #Chelsea are interested in Kalidou #Koulibaly. His contract with #Napoli currently expires in 2023. If he doesn’t extend, Napoli could sell the centre-back. Expected a meeting between his agent Ramadani and Napoli in the next days to discuss KK’s future. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) May 12, 2022
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Saliba is one of the players who has played the most this season in Europe, the Olympian defender has played 51 games in all competitions, a figure that says a lot about his importance at OM and why the club wants to keep him at all price. So stay, go? Djibril Niang, William Saliba’s agent, remained evasive about his player’s future.
« William Saliba’s agent, Djibril Niang, told me: ‘We still don’t know what Arsenal want to do with William. We will have a discussion on this very soon, I think. Arsenal will decide their future in the coming weeks. Lots of factors at play and nothing decided yet. I don’t know why this is such a surprise to some people. Obviously the player and the club will want to sit down and discuss all the options (stay/loan/sell) etc. The player will want playing time assurances. How can they decide anything without talking first? (…) It depends on many things: another loan? Does he want to stay if Arteta can’t guarantee him a certain number of games? There’s a lot to decide – they can’t do that until they sit down and have a long talk about everything. Personally, I would like to see him stay of course…” Freddie Paxton, Arsenal journalist – Source: Twitter (04/27/2022)
In any case, on the pitch, there are only two games left in the league, OM must improve their good season by remaining in second place in the standings and thus qualify for the next Champions League. To do so, Saliba and his teammates must remain focused on the trip to Rennes tomorrow evening. On the other hand, the last match will be without the suspended French international, but OM will have to offer a last victory at home before the end of the season.
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