Arsenal defender William Saliba is reportedly close to sealing a loan switch to Nice for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.

Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne in a £27m deal from Saint-Etienne in July 2019 and spent last season on loan with the French side.

The 19-year-old is still yet to make a competitive appearance for Arsenal and recently claimed to have been "locked up" in London.

Sky Sports News reports that Mikel Arteta has now sanctioned a temporary exit, with Nice in line to take the young centre-back on loan until the summer.

It is claimed that there is no option to make the move permanent at the end of the season as Arteta sees Saliba as part of his long-term plans.

Arsenal are expected to be busy this month in terms of outgoing activity, having already loaned full-back Sead Kolasinac to Schalke 04.