Newcastle United want to take Arsenal defender William Saliba on loan for the forthcoming season.
The centre-back’s unusual time with the Gunners appears set to head down another path next season.
His debut for Arsenal looking unlikely to come any time soon.
The 20-year-old was bought in July 2019 for a huge fee of £27 million.
But has since spent loan spells with Saint-Etienne and Nice without turning out for his parent club.
He has impressed on these loan spells, enough to be named in the France Olympics squad this summer.
And for there to be further interest in signing him on loan, but clearly not enough to get into the Arsenal side as they are happy to see him depart again.
Newcastle United and Lille fights for Saliba
There is a battle between Newcastle United and Lille for the young defender.
The Magpies are set to offer a regular first team place and Premier League experience.
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Meanwhile Lille have the possibility of Champions League appearances after their superb Ligue 1 title win last campaign.
Arsenal are looking to other options at the back, expecting to spend around £50m on Brighton and England centre-back Ben White.
They consider those rather than a place their trust in the Frenchman they forked out £27m for.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had talked up the possibility of Saliba taking a first team role this season as a replacement for David Luiz.
Luiz has left on a free transfer, although that now seems unlikely.
