Rare transfer joy for Arsenal as sources report €30m deal is done
Arsenal have fought off late competition from Tottenham to sign William Saliba, according to two separate reports.
Tottenham made a play for the Saint-Etienne centre-back last Friday after it look as though a deal to take him to Arsenal was on the verge of completion.
Now though Saint-Etienne outlet Peuple-Vert reports that Arsenal have got their man after the 18-year-old rejected a late move from their north-London rivals.
Saliba will sign a five-year contract with Arsenal but will remain on loan at Saint-Etienne for this season, with the fee reported to be €33m, plus a further €7m in add-ons.
Rival source But! Football Club via Sport Witness also claim that Arsenal have got their man, but deny the fee will not be €33m, plus €7m but a straight €30million – as originally reported.
The same source report the transfer will be announced in the “coming days”.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery was believed to have wanted Saliba for this season, but Saint-Etienne insisted that Saliba was loaned back for another season at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
Staying at St Etienne for another season was always on Saliba’s mind as their club’s president Roland Romeyer recently explained: “He will stay at the club this season.
“It is an imperative condition should we come to an agreement for his transfer. It’s also William’s wish.”