Arsenal
Arsenal strike £26.9m deal to sign exciting star, personal terms already agreed
Arsenal are on the verge of signing William Saliba after agreeing an initial deal worth £26.9m with Saint-Etienne, according to French outlet RMC Sport.
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, Arsenal are on the verge of signing William Saliba…
Arsenal are on the verge of signing William Saliba after agreeing an initial deal worth £26.9m with Saint-Etienne, according to French outlet RMC Sport.
Saliba is a product of the Saint-Etienne youth system after joining the club as a child and he emerged as one of the most highly-rated centre-backs in French football after breaking into the first team with 19 appearances last season.
The 19-year-old put in a number of impressive displays at the back to help Saint-Etienne finish fourth in Ligue 1 and they ended the campaign with one of the best defensive records in the division having conceded 41 goals in their 38 games.
Saliba’s potential alerted clubs here in the Premier League with Arsenal and Tottenham reportedly expressing their interest in signing the exciting defender this summer but the Gunners have emerged as the clear favourites.
Following weeks of negotiations, RMC Sport are reporting that Arsenal have finally agreed a deal with Saint-Etienne worth £26.9m [€30m] to sign Saliba and we’ll immediately send the youngster back on loan for the whole of next season.
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The French publication says the teenager has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a long-term contract and the transfer should be finalised over the coming days once the two clubs thrash out some minor details surrounding bonus payments.
RMC Sport says Tottenham haven’t followed up their initial interest with a formal offer but Saliba has knocked back interest from AS Roma and Wolves as he has already decided to join Arsenal.
Unai Emery desperately needs to improve his defence as Arsenal have been a shambles at the back for years and we conceded 70 goals across all competitions last season – which ultimately cost us Champions League qualification.
READ –> Arsenal transfer news
Saliba won’t be an immediate fix as he’ll spend next season on loan but he has a huge future ahead of him and should develop his game further at Saint-Etienne over the next 12 months so I think he’ll be a great long-term addition to the squad.
