Prime David Moyes summer target William Saliba has made an Arsenal demand that will seriously encourage West Ham.
Arsenal-owned Saliba has been earning rave reviews on loan at Marseille and attracted attention from the likes of West Ham.
Moyes allegedly wants to sign Saliba from his parent club Arsenal in the summer according to the likes of Jeunes Footeux.
West Ham desperately need a new centre-back and failed to get one in the door during the January window. And reports claim Saliba is a “prime” target for Moyes in the summer.
Reports claim the Hammers are prepared to pay round €30 million (£25.3 million) for Arsenal’s defender Saliba, who made his France senior debut during the international break.
The 21-year-old has been described as an ‘incredible’ talent by talkSPORT.
In 28 Ligue 1 outings for Marseille so far this season, Saliba has averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 2.3 clearances per game (Who Scored).
The alleged West Ham centre-back target is an incredible passer of the football as well and is very composed when in possession. He has made 82.8 passes on average per game for Marseille this season and has recorded an impressive completion rate of 93% (Who Scored).
Arsenal fans have been watching Saliba’s progress with interest and many hope he will be part of their vibrant young squad next season.
But there have been serious doubts over Saliba’s Arsenal future for some time with several sources claiming Gunners boss Mikel Arteta does not rate the £27m signing made by his predecessor Unai Emery (Give Me Sport).
It is perhaps no surprise then that Moyes – who is close with Arteta – has been taking a keen interest in the Frenchman.
Now prime Moyes target Saliba has made an Arsenal demand that will seriously encourage West Ham (L’Equipe).
“I haven’t played much with the Gunners,” Saliba told L’Equipe.
“The coach (Arteta) made his choices, that’s life. I left on loan, I played matches and, thanks to my performances, I became a (senior) international.
“What happened to me helped forge a mental toughness. You don’t play just because you cost £27m. I take it positively. Even if there are times when you ask yourself questions.
“For six months, I saw that I was the the only one in the group not to play, it hurt.
“I’m sure I can’t just be on the bench at Arsenal and be happy. I want to play as a starter. Afterwards, if I come into the rotation as a substitute, it’s not like staying with the Under-23s and never being in the squad.”
Saliba is effectively demanding a starting spot at Arsenal which will not go down well with Arteta.
At West Ham, Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson turn 34 and 32 respectively next month while Issa Diop could reportedly sign for Lyon in the summer (Foot Mercato).
So West Ham need a new long-term partner for Kurt Zouma. And the Hammers can therefore make Saliba better assurances over being a starter.
With his contract up in 2024 Arsenal may be swayed by a bid which sees them recoup their initial outlay or perhaps even make a small profit.
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