Premier League giants Arsenal are reportedly considering a move for Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix. The 22-year-old is viewed as a potential replacement for William Saliba, who has been heavily courted by Olympique Marseille in recent weeks.
According to MediaFootMarseille, Marseille president Pablo Longoria and club owner Frank McCourt are eager to re-sign William Saliba this summer after his impressive displays for the club last season.
Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint Etienne for €30 million in 2019 and returned to the French club on loan for the 2019-20 campaign. He spent the next season loan with OGC Nice and was once again sent out on a season-long loan to Marseille last summer.
The Frenchman became a regular starter for the Ligue 1 giants. He made 52 appearances for the club across all competitions and helped them finish second in the league table. Saliba was included in the UNFP Ligue 1 'Team of the Year' and won the UNFP 'Young Player of the Year' award last season.
The defender is believed to be part of Mikel Arteta's plans for next season. However, the Gunners are reportedly willing to part ways with Saliba if they are able to recoup the €30 million they spent to sign him.
The 21-year-old is believed to be Marseille's top defensive target. Arsenal have now identified Maxence Lacroix as Saliba's potential replacement.
Lacroix caught the attention of a number of clubs thanks to his performances for Wolfsburg last season. He made 36 appearances for the club in all competitions. The defender's speed and physical presence make him the ideal transfer target for Arsenal.
His contract with the German club is set to run until 2025, which could result in Wolfsburg demanding a sizeable fee for the 22-year-old.
Arsenal could look to keep hold of William Saliba this summer
Arsenal have often been criticized for the way they have handled William Saliba since the defender joined the club in 2019. The centre-back was seen as one of the biggest prospects in French football prior to his move to the Emirates Stadium and has proven his worth during his loan spells with Nice and Marseille.
Saliba is still only 21 and has time to develop even further and become a star for Arsenal. Furthermore, the north London club will be keen to push for a place in the top-four of the Premier League and are preparing themselves for next season's Europa League.
The club's lack of squad depth was one of the main reasons for their downfall last season. Mikel Arteta will be keen to keep hold of William Saliba, who could be given chances in the Europa League and the cup competitions next season.
Fuzbdeisuy
0
Fake news my fellow gunners don’t panic he is going nowhere
cemabpruyz
1
Tell Marsaille to pound sand. They can’t have him
Hibdikmryz
1
eeiiii arsenal nowadays poor business no profit under arteta
FootballArtista
1
No need to read the article; it's bull crap!
Maravilla
0
Saliba is playing with us this season and those ahead !
Yonikptu
1
is like Mikel Arteta is a confused man, someone replacing Saliba, you want to send him away again??? it's a pity. Buy Lisandro Martinez, Paqueta, Youri and Sergej, then leave the rest players in the world, because you wanna buy all players in the world right now, like you short of ideas of the exact players you need.
9ineball
0
Arteta is sick, he just hate the player. arteta must tell the truth why he does not want to use Salimba?
You know that this is fake news right? Something to get more comments and people to come into the app
Pohdioprst
1
Arteta is sick, he just hate the player. arteta must tell the truth why he does not want to use Salimba?
Adeleye Musa
0
Marseille please keep off from our Saliba
el_chupacabra
0
shut up
Why?
wawaiklno
0
Hopefully he goes back to l'OM on permanent contract 🙏🏼
shut up
Suddknoprt
2
fake news
el_chupacabra
1
Hopefully he goes back to l'OM on permanent contract 🙏🏼
fiyacemopy
1
arsenal are still sick
bomdlnrs
0
Every transfer news has Mikel clapping his hands LOL
Gannymalta
0
Saliba's interest, like any other player, is the game time. He enjoyed game time at Olympic Marseeille. I can infer that he also had a good time and friendships that he promised "I may return, pray for me". So, get him back to where he will have a good time
Mysterial
0
It's pure folly and shear madness
Mysterial
2
Is this first April fool's day retorics or what?? stop creating stories about Saliba and Meghalles u can talk about others. Behave yourselves bama mbala
Yizabimpr
2
most of you guys always quick to crucify Arteta and not even thinking about these news can be fake
Yizabimpr
1
I said it already and I will say it again the media spread these rumors every day we are not even thinking that it can always be a fake news
makeiklmuy
2
the problem is not Arsenal...the one who hate Saliba is Arteta...
DAT_BOI_JOVAN
1
Arsenal next season ❤🔥
lobadkmsuy
3
Except there is anything else, Saliba deserve to be in Arsenal shirt this season. his exploit on loan last season is a pointer. he should be contesting to be in first 11.
Aluko Blessing
2
Saliba has joined up with his Arsenal mates in training today. let AF bring up another story that is not boring 🙄🙄
Mimacdeiko
0
He is not good
Sizaeknu
1
Saliba is very talented player and is very clever player I want to see him at first team next season.
Lioalorty
0
Arsenal...stop thinking about selling saliba. What is wrong with u guys on the board?
Popskull954
4
This Article is very confusing...
Emmauche
1
I don't think this rumor is true!! if it's that means Mikel Arteta is