Rennes manager Julien Stephan has admitted William Saliba is ‘an option’ for the French club and finds the Arsenal defender an ‘interesting player’.
Despite only linking up with the Gunners squad this summer, Saliba is believed to be in talks with Rennes over a potential loan move.
The 19-year-old prospect was purchased last year for £27 million and immediately loaned back to Saint-Etienne for another season as part of the deal.
However, the centre-back is yet to make his debut for Arsenal and was a surprise omission from the squad that beat Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup on Thursday night.
Rennes boss Stephan confirmed the French club are considering Saliba as a potential option in defence.
‘William Saliba is an option,’ he admitted.
‘He is an interesting player, he is coming out of an appealing season with Saint-Etienne, even if it seems more complicated with Arsenal.’
‘The difficult year that the player had and the plan that we had for him, for the transition year, we could not achieve,’ said the Spanish boss.
‘We are looking at different options to try to have the best possible development for the player and to protect our intentions with William for the future.
‘We want to both be aligned and make the best decision for now and for the future.’
