William Saliba 'to return to Arsenal' for remainder of 2019/20 season

William Saliba will reportedly be allowed to join up with his new Arsenal teammates now that the Ligue 1 season has ended.

However, the centre-back will not be allowed to play for the Gunners until the 2020/21 campaign begins.

Arsenal signed Saliba for £11million from Saint-Etienne last summer before immediately loaning the defender back to the French club for the season.

France's season was ended last week due to the coronavirus pandemic with most teams having 10 games left to play, so Saliba's loan period has now come to an end.

It was initially unclear whether the 19-year-old would be allowed to join Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and his squad this summer.

But French outlet RMC Sport have said Saliba will link up with his new teammates - although the UK is still under lockdown and non-essential travel is banned.

When Saliba does arrive in north London he will be able to train with the squad ahead of his first season with the Gunners.

But with Premier League bosses hoping top-flight fixtures can be resumed from around June 12, the Frenchman will not be allowed to play in any of the remaining games of the 2019/20 season.

Saliba played 12 Ligue 1 games for St Etienne - starting 11 of those - despite struggling with injuries this season.

The teenager missed seven games with a hamstring injury early in the season, before being forced to sit out a further nine matches thanks to a metatarsal fracture in November and December.

However, he regained full fitness and played a run of games before the Ligue 1 season was halted, helping to keep St Etienne above the relegation zone in what proved to be the final table.

Saliba signed a five-year deal when he joined Arsenal last summer and has been hailed in his homeland as a huge talent.