Saliba is yet to break into Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s squad since he arrived in north London in the summer of 2019, and the 19-year-old was unable complete his return to former club Saint-Etienne on loan during the last transfer window.
The young defender is down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium under Arteta, with the Spaniard preferring Gabriel, Rob Holding, David Luiz, Shkodran Mustafi, Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari over the teenager.
Arsenal are looking at loaning Saliba out in January.
And Saliba’s preference would be to stay in the UK, in the hope of accelerating his adaptation to the English game during the second half of the season.
The news could come as a major blow for Ligue 1 duo Saint-Etienne and Nice, with both clubs interested in taking the defender back to his homeland on a temporary basis in the upcoming transfer window.
Arsenal are optimistic Saliba can live up to his billing with more minutes under his belt come next season.
Centre-backs Luiz, Mustafi and Sokratis are all in their last years at the club and Saliba could find himself in a less competitive environment when he returns from his loan, should he leave north London.
