Tottenham hijack Arsenal’s £27m deal, transfer to be finalised at meeting tomorrow

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. Here, Tottenham have hijacked Arsenal’s move for William Saliba…

Tottenham have made a late move to hijack Arsenal’s £27m deal for William Saliba and are looking to seal the transfer during a meeting with Saint-Etienne on Saturday, according to RMC Sport.

Saliba has earned a reputation as one of the most highly-rated young defenders in French football since breaking into the Saint-Etienne first team last season and he’s already been capped by his country at U20 level.

The 18-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal throughout the summer and it appeared a deal was on the verge of completion when RMC Sport reported earlier this week that the Gunners has agreed a fee worth £27m [€30m] with Saint-Etienne in a deal that would also see the defender spend next season on loan in France.

The French outlet said the two clubs were still negotiating bonuses but a deal was expected to go through with Goal even reporting that Saliba was due to travel to London to undergo his medical after agreeing personal terms over a move to Arsenal.

However, it seems the Gunners are in real danger of missing out as RMC Sport journalist Mohamed Bouhafsi is sensationally reporting that Tottenham have made a late bid to hijack their north London rivals’ deal.

Bouhafsi says Spurs have submitted an offer worth in excess of Arsenal’s £27m bid and they are due to meet with Saint-Etienne on Saturday to try and finalise a deal that would see Saliba head to the white half of north London instead.

The RMC Sport journalist said on Twitter:

#Saliba #Tottenham submitted an offer in excess of 30M € excluding bonuses for Saliba. An offer that exceeds the expectations of #ASSE. Meeting tomorrow to finalize the operation while #Arsenal a comprehensive agreement had been reached.

Saint Etienne and #Arsenal have an agreement but could not find agreement on the #Saliba bonuses. Arsenal will have to react because #Tottenham Saint Étienne meet tomorrow to try to finalise the deal because Tottenham’s offer is more important!

The battle is tough between #Arsenal and #Tottenham #Saliba for. Arsenal had a deal with Sainté and the player. Tottenham is turning things around with their offer this morning and tomorrow’s meeting. The next 48 hours are going to be crazy in this matter between the two English clubs.

BBC transfer guru David Ornstein has confirmed this news, after tweeting:

Negotiations between Arsenal, Saint Etienne and Saliba were in their very final stages – much of it already in the hands of lawyers to agree wording of contracts etc – but Tottenham have reignited their interest and are now pushing hard to get the deal completed

Mauricio Pochettino could be eyeing Saliba as a replacement for Toby Alderweireld amid speculation the Belgian international could be heading to AS Roma and it would be a major coup if Tottenham could pull it off.

However, Saint-Etienne have made it clear any sale must involve Saliba spending next season back on loan with them so it will be interesting to see if Tottenham agree to meet the Ligue 1 outfits demand.

READ –> Arsenal transfer news | Spurs transfer news

I’m sure Arsenal won’t give up without a fight as Unai Emery desperately needs to improve his defence but as it stands it looks like Tottenham have moved into pole position to sign Saliba. It’s going to be fascinating to see how this one develops over the coming days.