Jorge Sampaoli puts ball in Mikel Arteta’s court over future of Arsenal’s William Saliba

Marseille boss Jorge Sampaoli says he hopes to keep Arsenal defender William Saliba at the Ligue 1 club this summer.

The 21-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2019 from Saint Etienne on a long-term contract. Then boss Unai Emery paid around £27m for the centre-back and insisted the Gunners beat a number of other sides to sign the Frenchman.

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However, Saliba has not kicked a ball for the club having being sent out on loan. The last couple of seasons have been spent in Ligue 1 with Saint-Etienne and Marseille.

And Saliba has impressed in the south of France, starting all but one of their 36 Ligue 1 games so far. He has also featured prominently in the Europa Conference League and has become a firm favourite under Sampaoli.

And the Chilean boss has made it clear where he stands on keeping Saliba for next season.

Speaking to Get French Football news, Sampaoli said: “I hope that there is a possibility for us to keep a player like him, who knows the team.

“I don’t know if it depends on the club, William or Arsenal… I don’t know the possibilities in this case.”

Saliba himself recently said he was happy in France and believes he has “developed”.

“There is always a chance,” Saliba told Le Parisien. “I do not