Arsenal transfer news: Gunners given ‘green light’ for £60m raid, Fulham ‘offered’ ex-Man City free agent
Arsenal star William Saliba is hoping to build on an impressive performance on his long-awaited Premier League debut.
It is just over three years since the young French centre-back joined the Gunners in a £27million deal from Ligue 1 club Saint Etienne.
Saliba immediately returned to his former club on a season-long loan deal and made similar moves to Nice and Marseille over the following two seasons.
However, he was finally handed a chance to impress in the Premier League on Friday night when Mikel Arteta named the 21-year-old centre-back in his starting lineup for the season opener at Crystal Palace.
Saliba repaid the Spaniard’s faith with an accomplished display and was named as man of the match by former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher in the aftermath of the 2-0 win.
After the game, the five-times capped France international reflected on his Premier League bow and looked forward to what lies ahead for him and his club.
“It was like this because it was the first game, we knew it would be hard here,” he told Sky Sports.
“So we stayed compact and strong and it’s good for the team.
“It is a long time I have been waiting for this moment. I am so happy to start my first game with a win and a clean sheet.
“It helped me to spend two or three years on loan in France because I am young and now I am back. I hope we can have a good season.”
Check out the latest Premier League transfer speculation below...
1. Rabiot fee agreed
Manchester United have reached an agreement with Juventus regarding the purchase of France midfielder Adrien Rabiot for an initial £15m. (Fabrizio Romano)
2. Fulham offered Denayer
Fulham have been offered Belgium defender Jason Denayer on a free transfer. (Football Insider)
3. Palace hold advantage in Lozano race
Crystal Palace may hold the ‘advantage’ in the race to sign Napoli winger Hirving Lozano. (Pete O’Rourke)
4. DORTMUND, GERMANY - AUGUST 06: Moussa Diaby of Leverkusen runs with the ball of Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park on August 06, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Arsenal are working on a late-window deal for Bayer Leverkusen attacker Moussa Diaby, with Stan Kroenke giving the green light for a swoop. (Football Insider)