Arsenal defender William Saliba admits he is open to extending his Marseille stay

William Saliba has hinted he may look to stay at Marseille instead of returning to Arsenal following a successful loan spell with the French club.

The highly-rated French defender signed for Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019 but is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Gunners.

Saliba's performances for Marseille since joining the Ligue 1 outfit on loan last summer have impressed France manager Didier Deschamps, who gave the 20-year-old his first international call-up this week.

The French club are hopeful they can keep Saliba, who has just over two years left on his Arsenal contract.

Saliba, who was sent out on loan for a third time after being deemed surplus to requirements at the Emirates by manager Mikel Arteta in pre-season, said remaining in Marseille 'wouldn't be a bad idea' and claimed he was ready to talk to the Gunners about his future.

'I don't hide the fact that I feel good here but I don't know my future,' Saliba told RMC Sport.

'The most important thing is to qualify for the Champions League and to go as far as possible in the Conference League.

'I think there will be discussions afterwards, at the end of May, beginning of June, with Arsenal and Marseille. We will decide at that time.

'But it is sure that continuing here would not be a bad idea. On the contrary, I know the city, my team-mates, my coach. But it's not just up to me.

'We'll see how it goes, but it also depends on Arsenal, who has to agree.'

Saliba, who has previously had loan spells with former club Saint Etienne and Nice, will be hoping to make his debut for France in their upcoming friendlies.

The world champions play Ivory Coast at Stade Velodrome - the home of Marseille - on Friday before welcoming South Africa to Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Tuesday.

Saliba - who turns 21 on Thursday - replaced the injured Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard in the French squad for the two matches.

'It is a great pride to be here,' he added. 'I found out yesterday when I woke up. I'm very proud and happy. Since it's my birthday week, it's going to be very special.

'I don't know if I'm going to play on Friday or Tuesday, but I'm ready and I'm enjoying it.'