Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has insisted that defender William Saliba will return to Marseille next season as uncertainty over his Arsenal future continues.
The Frenchman who midfielder played alongside Saliba at Marseille last season has revealed that he will try and keep the defender at the Ligue 1 side next season.
While both players were on loan from Arsenal last season, Guendouzi has secured a permanent move to the Southern France team while 21-year-old Saliba has gone back to Arsenal to fight for a place.
But now Guendouzi has revealed that he will try to persuade Saliba to return to Marseille.
Speaking to TF1 as reported by 90min, Guendouzi said: “William now has Marseille in his heart and I am sure that he will come back to Marseille next season.
“So I am going to try to push again for him to stay with us.”
However, the highly-rated Saliba recently stated that he was planning to return to North London.
He said: “I belong to Arsenal, I still have two years left.
“I will be back with Arsenal [for pre-season]. I have played no matches and I still want to show them my true face and have the chance to play for these fans and this great club.
“But it doesn’t just depend on me. In any case, to leave like this would be a shame.”
Saliba, however, admitted that he did enjoy his stay in Marseille, where he impressed, making 36 appearances in all competitions in 2021/22.
“Surprising or magical,” Saliba said of his last campaign in France.
“It’s my first full season. I was keen to show who I really am. It’s a very positive assessment and really I’m very happy with my season.
“It’s as if I’d been here at least two or three years. It’s really special.
“Even if I don’t come back to Marseille, I’ll never forget. Thanks to OM, I spent a great season in my career and it was they who boosted me.”
