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Arsenal trying to thrash out deal during talks today, personal terms already agreed

By mac14 on June 25, 2019

According to a report by Get French Football News, Arsenal will try and thrash out a deal for William Saliba during talks with Saint-Etienne today as Unai Emery looks to wrap-up his first major signing of the summer.

The boss is in the market for defensive reinforcements after our leaky back-line once again cost us last season and Saliba has been widely reported to be a prime target for the Spaniard.

French outlet Le10Sport claimed last week that Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Saliba over a move to the Emirates and were trying to finalise a deal with his current club Saint-Etienne for his signature.

Get French Football News are now reporting that journalist Manu Lonjon has informed them that Arsenal are due to hold talks with the Ligue 1 outfit today to try and finally thrash out an agreement.

The report says Saint-Etienne want around £27m and to have Saliba back on loan for next season but obviously Arsenal would prefer to have the 18-year-old available immediately so this appears to be the major sticking point.

L’Équipe claim that although Tottenham are trying to hijack our proposed deal by holding talks with Saliba’s agent, the defender favours a move to Arsenal so we’re well placed to get a deal done this summer.

Saliba is one of the brightest young centre-backs in French football so he’d be an exciting addition to the squad if we can get this transfer over the line but I hope any agreement doesn’t involve loaning him back to Saint-Etienne.

We need to improve the defence now so if Arsenal bosses feel Saliba is a real prospect, he should be integrated into the squad immediately as we desperately need to improve our back line next season.

Hopefully we can find a buyer for Shkodran Mustafi to make room for Saliba but if Arsenal do end up agreeing to send the teenager back to Saint-Etienne on loan next season, then I guess that will end any talk of Laurent Koscielny leaving this summer.

We’ll probably let Kos run down the final year of his contract and Saliba will then come to north London as his replacement in 12 months time.