Transfer News: Nice interested in Arsenal defender William Saliba;…

OGC Nice are reportedly interested in signing William Saliba on a loan deal while Mesut Ozil could reportedly be on his way to DC United.

According to a report by But Football Club, William Saliba is the subject of interest from OGC Nice over a possible loan deal for the second half of the season. The Frenchman’s former club Saint-Etienne also want to secure his services on a temporary basis, amid his struggles at Arsenal.

Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in the summer of 2019 and was immediately hauled off on loan to the French club for the entirety of the 2019/20 season. The youngster impressed in France yet again, despite his struggles with injuries, and was touted to be a great success at the Emirates.

However, Saliba is yet to feature for the first-team this term and has had to suffice with outings for the club’s under-23 side. The lack of game-time is now forcing Saliba’s hand, with the Frenchman eager to secure regular football. In fact, it was even reported that the 19-year-old could be sent out on loan in the summer before a move failed to materialise.

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Now, though, it is highly likely that Saliba will be on his way out of Arsenal on a temporary basis in the January transfer window, as he remains on the fringes of the first-team squad. Former club Saint-Etienne have expressed an interest to sign him this winter. And now, OGC Nice have also joined the queue of suitors.

The interest from Nice has cropped up due to the fact that Dante is sidelined for the remainder of the season, forcing former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, now the Nice manager, to scour for possible loan options for January. Saliba is, therefore, a viable target, who is unlikely to take long to settle in at the club owing to his prior experience with Saint-Etienne.

However, it has also been reported that Saliba is set to join Saint-Etienne on loan for a second time. Saliba is understandably open to a return as well. Either way, a move back to France on loan should ideally bode well for the teenager as well as Arsenal, as far as their long-term prospects are concerned.

Meanwhile, according to a report by Eurosport, Mesut Ozil could be set to finally call it quits at Arsenal, either in January or next summer. The German playmaker is the subject of interest from DC United, with the player open to a switch to the Major League Soccer as well.

Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in a shock deal that saw Arsenal smash their club transfer record at the time by shelling out £42.5 million for his services in the summer of 2013. In the seven years since, the 32-year-old has seen his fair share of highs and lows at the Emirates.

Set to leave Arsenal. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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