‘He isn’t going anywhere’: Arsenal told £27m player isn’t leaving despite rumours
Kevin Campbell has assured Arsenal fans that William Saliba will continue to be part of Mikel Arteta’s team at Arsenal even after the summer transfer window in 2023.
Some fans have expressed concern about the possibility of Saliba leaving, especially with PSG showing interest and his current contract set to expire in 12 months.
However, the main problem lies in the delay in Saliba and Arsenal reaching an agreement on a new contract. Campbell, speaking on The Highbury Squad, was clear and unequivocal in stating that Saliba will not be leaving the club.
The significance of a player becomes more evident or prominent when they are absent from the team, rather than when they are actively playing.
This was particularly true for Saliba in the last few months of the season when he had to observe from the bench as Arsenal undermined their chances of winning the Premier League title.
One could make the case that the 22-year-old is potentially the most crucial player for his team.
Nevertheless, Campbell asserts that the contract negotiations will be resolved and Saliba will ultimately sign a new contract.
“He’s already in the building,” said Campbell. “He isn’t going anywhere. I’m not worried about it at all.
“It’s just people being people with their opinions. He’s going nowhere. He is in our building. Proven now. One season or nearly a full season. Without him, we aren’t the same team.
“There’s no way Arsenal are letting him go. Just think ‘how much would it cost to replace him?’ Just the transfer fee alone it’s going to cost you what you are giving me wages, so you might as well just give him the wages.
“It’s part of the negotiations. They are going to kiss and make up, then when he signs the contract, everything is going to be alright.”
Upon joining Arsenal in 2019 as a young and inexperienced teenager, Saliba faced a period of adaptation before establishing himself in the first team. However, the wait proved to be rewarding, both for the player and the fans, as he delivered an exceptional debut season.
Once Saliba puts pen to paper on his new contract as a French international, it would not be unexpected to see him remain at the Emirates Stadium for an extended period of time, potentially becoming a long-term presence for the club.
‘He isn’t going anywhere’: Arsenal told £27m player isn’t leaving despite rumours
