MARSEILLE have declared their intent to keep hold of on-loan Arsenal star William Saliba.
The Gunners paid Saint-Etienne £27million for the France Under-21 defender in 2019.
Marseille are confident of signing William Saliba on a permanent basis
The star has excelled on loan from Arsenal this season
He is under contract until 2024, but has yet to play a competitive game for Mikel Arteta’s side.
However centre-back Saliba has excelled on loan to Marseille this term, helping them go second in Ligue 1, with Arsenal believed to be readying an extension offer for him.
And club president Pablo Longoria said he wants to use their “extraordinary” relationship with Arsenal to hang on to the 20-year-old.
Longoria told local daily La Provence: “Keeping hold of William is a three-way matter for Arsenal, who own him, as well as for the player himself and for Marseille.
“We need to take a look at our possibilities. He is very happy here with us, and we are very satisfied with his performances.
“William is one of the best young defenders I have ever seen in my career.
“In the end it will all depend on the three parties. It is a real question of what he is worth on the transfer market.
“But we have an extraordinary relationship with Arsenal.”
Saliba had loan spells with old club Saint-Etienne and Nice before leaving for Marseille’s Stade Velodrome last summer.
The Paris-born defender has since played 35 times for the port city club.
He previously had a handful of Under-23 and friendly appearances for Arsenal.
