Arsenal
Player wants Arsenal move after agreeing terms but Tottenham hope to hijack £27m deal
William Saliba wants to join Arsenal after agreeing personal terms with the Gunners but Tottenham are trying to hijack their potential £26.7m move
Managers are working hard trying to strengthen their squads during the summer transfer window so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip from around the globe. Today, the latest on William Saliba…
William Saliba wants to join Arsenal after agreeing personal terms with the Gunners but Tottenham are trying to hijack their rivals potential £26.7m move for the Saint-Etienne defender, according to L’Equipe.
Saliba came through the youth ranks at Saint-Etienne and has become one of the most highly-rated young centre-backs in French football since breaking into the first team last year while he’s also represented France at every youth level from U16 to U19.
The 18-year-old’s potential has caught the attention of Unai Emery as Arsenal have been strongly linked with a move for Saliba this summer and L’Equipe claim personal terms over a long-term contract were agreed with the player last week.
The French outlet says Arsenal are now trying to thrash out a fee with Saint-Etienne and the Ligue 1 club have set an asking price of £26.7m [€30m] while they also want Saliba back on loan for next season as part of any deal.
Emery is looking to strengthen his defence this summer after Arsenal conceded 51 Premier League goals last season so the Spanish coach would rather have Saliba available immediately rather than wait 12 months to be able to use the centre-back.
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L’Equipe claims Saliba favours a move to Arsenal but the Gunners face late competition from their north London rivals as Tottenham are now in talks with the player’s agent and are confident of also agreeing personal terms.
The report says Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy hasn’t been put off by Saint-Etienne’s valuation and is hoping to trump Arsenal by agreeing a deal to sign Saliba from under their rivals nose.
Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to strengthen his squad this summer following their Champions League final defeat to Liverpool and Saliba could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Toby Alderweireld.
READ –> Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news
We’ll have to wait and see how things develop over the coming days but it looks like Arsenal and Tottenham are going to battle it out over the signing of Saliba this summer and I think he’d be an excellent purchase for either club.
