Arsenal
Player to undergo medical today after Arsenal agree £27m deal
William Saliba is expected to undergo a medical with Arsenal today ahead of a £27m move from Saint-Etienne that will see the centre-back remain on loan
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, William Saliba is set to undergo his medical with Arsenal…
William Saliba is expected to undergo a medical with Arsenal today ahead of a £27m move from Saint-Etienne that will see the centre-back remain on loan in France next season, according to the Daily Mail.
Saliba has been strongly linked with a move to north London this summer with both Arsenal and Tottenham reportedly battling it out for his signature after he burst onto the scene as one of the most highly-rated defenders in French football last season.
The 18-year-old produced some excellent performances for Saint-Etienne to help them finish fourth in Ligue 1 with one of the best defensive records in the division while he’s also represented France at various youth levels up to U20.
Arsenal emerged as the front-runners for his signature with Goal one of several media outlets to report over the weekend that we’ve agreed a £27m deal with Saint-Etienne that will see Saliba remain on loan at the French outfit next season.
The Daily Mail are now claiming that Saliba is set to travel to London to undergo his medical today after Saint-Etienne wrapped-up their pre-season tour of the United States.
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As long as there are no late complications, Saliba is expected to join Arsenal on a five-year contract and will continue his development in France over the next 12 months before linking-up with his new club next summer.
Unai Emery desperately needs to strengthen his defence now as we conceded 51 league goals last season but Saliba is still very raw so it would be unrealistic to think he’d be the answer to our defensive problems straight away.
It makes sense for him to continue his development at Saint-Etienne as he should come to Arsenal next summer a much better player who’s had a full season of first team football under his belt and will be ready to compete for a place in Emery’s starting eleven.
READ –> Arsenal transfer news
It’s promising to be a busy few days at the Emirates as Saliba is expected to be quickly followed by the loan signing of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid while we’re still in the market for a left-back and winger.
