William Saliba credits Marseille loan for career breakthrough

French defender William Saliba revealed that in the summer of 2021 he was close to joining Lille OSC, but a financial problem redirected him to Olympique de Marseille. Marseille secured his loan for the 2021‑22 season, where he became an undisputed starter under Jorge Sampaoli, delivered a reference league campaign and earned his first call‑ups to the France national team.

Saliba also said Arsenal had urged him to move to Premier League clubs such as Newcastle United or Crystal Palace, but he insisted on a season in France. He argues that the Marseille spell raised his market value, restored his enjoyment of the game and paved the way for his return to Arsenal and his emergence as a World Cup‑level defender.