Arsenal have won the race to sign Saint-Etienne’s highly-rated centre back William Saliba and are expected to make him their first summer signing in a €25m deal, according to ESPNFC.
The 18-year-old has been linked with a host of top clubs including Arsenal’s north London rivals Spurs in recent months after making an impressive breakthrough in Ligue 1 last season.
However, Arsenal are poised to complete Saliba’s signature after agreeing to let him spend the upcoming 2019-20 season on loan at Saint-Etienne in order to further his development.
Saint-Etienne included a similar clause in Kurt Zouma’s transfer to Chelsea in January 2014 with the then-teenager spending the remainder of the 2013-14 season with them in Ligue 1.
Reports on Tuesday claimed that Saliba had agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a five-year deal and he will be Unai Emery’s first major recruit ahead of his second season in charge.
The France U20 international established himself during the second half of last season, making 19 appearances for Saint-Etienne in total, 16 of which came in Ligue 1.
Although he is predominantly regarded as a central defender, Saliba is also capable of playing at right-back having done so on three occasions last term.
Saliba’s imminent arrival further emphasises Arsenal’s shift in transfer policy towards signing younger players following the captures of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira last year.
Celtic’s 22-year-old left-back Kieran Tierney is also said to be one of Emery’s top targets this summer as he looks to bolster his squad ahead of a top-four push.
