Saliba impresses for St Etienne
Since breaking into St Etienne’s first-team at the start of the 2018/19 season, William Saliba has been attracting the attention of some big English clubs.
The 18-year-old featured in 19 games across all competitions this past season for St Etienne.
Saliba is naturally a centre-back but he is also capable of playing in the right-back spot, something he did four times throughout 2018/19.
Saliba is also a regular in France’s youth sides. In total, he has made 22 appearances for France between under-16 and under-20 level.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – MAY 29: Unai Emery the head coach / manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Baku Olimpiya Stadionu on May 29, 2019 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal vs Tottenham
Arsenal have been the club most heavily linked with the young defender with it being reported back in June by an RMC Sport journalist that the Gunners would pay €30m for Saliba and then loan him back to St Etienne for the 2019/20 season.
Condition incontournable pour Saint Étienne et le joueur d’être prêté dans la foulée une saison à Saint Étienne et rester dans le Forez !
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) June 25, 2019
However, it was then reported earlier this month that Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham had joined the race for Saliba.
Now though, on Wednesday the 17th of July, David Orenstein, writing for the BBC has claimed that Arsenal are set to beat Tottenham to the signing of Saliba.
According to the report from Orenstein on BBC Sport, Arsenal will pay £27m in instalments for Saliba and he will be loaned back to St Etienne.
Arsenal set to win race to sign William Saliba. Close to completion after Saint Etienne centre-back opted for #AFC. Loan back to #ASSE next season. Also working on loan for Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos & continue pursuit of Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney #RMFC #CelticFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) July 17, 2019
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