---
title: "Arsenal: William Saliba deal agreed in principle"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-william-saliba-deal-agreed-in-principle/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Stephan Georgiou"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2019-07-21T18:20:31Z"
modified: "2019-07-21T18:20:31Z"
---

# Arsenal: William Saliba deal agreed in principle

**Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal after a deal was reached between the two clubs, according to reports.**

[The Daily Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-finally-agree-28million-william-18457999) reported that an agreement in principle has been made to sign Saliba, who is set to re-join the Ligue 1 outfit on loan next season as part of the deal.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Nevertheless, Saliba looks set to become just Arsenal’s second signing of the summer – though other deals are said to be in the pipeline for the Gunners in regards to Dani Ceballos ([Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-edging-closer-loan-transfer-18497503)) – following their capture of Brazilian teenager [Gabriel Martinelli](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-arsenal/transfers/verein/11/saison_id/2019) earlier this month.

Meanwhile, [Football.london](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/william-saliba-arsenal-transfer-news-16461313) have suggested Arsenal have agreed a £27m fee for the centre-back, although reports in France of Arsenal winning the race for the teenager’s signature – having seen off the advances of Spurs – value the deal at a total of [€40m](https://peuple-vert.fr/actualite/info-pvfr-mercato-william-saliba-part-pour-arsenal-contre-40-millions-deuros/) (£36m).

Reports in recent weeks had put Tottenham in the running to sign the youngster – with [RMC Sport](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/saint-etienne-coup-de-theatre-pour-saliba-tottenham-revient-en-force-1729775.html) suggesting that Arsenal’s North London rivals had outbid them for Saliba’s services, only for The Gunners to respond with an improved bid of their own, according to Saint-Etienne-based outlet [Peuple-Vert](https://peuple-vert.fr/actualite/info-pvfr-mercato-william-saliba-part-pour-arsenal-contre-40-millions-deuros/).

Arsenal are yet to formally confirm winning the race for Saliba, with an official announcement due once the player, who will not play for the Gunners until the 2020/21 season, has passed a [medical](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/william-saliba-arsenal-transfer-news-16461313).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Saliba’s impending Arsenal move is a big call from Unai Emery, who could be taking a chance on the teenager by spending close to the total of the club’s reported [transfer budget](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48278922) – only for the defender to be loaned back to his soon-to-be former team for a year.

That could signify the size of the promise that Saliba has – to the point where Arsenal believe they will reap the long-term rewards of securing his signature.

However, with the ongoing rift between the club and [Laurent Koscielny](https://www.arsenal.com/news/club-statement-laurent-koscielny), Arsenal may be wiser to seek defensive reinforcements having not added to a backline that conceded [51 goals](https://www.arsenal.com/news/club-statement-laurent-koscielny) last season.

For those reasons, this could be a bit of a punt from Arsenal on Saliba, but only time will tell if he’s going to be worth the wait.

***Arsenal fans, do you think Saliba could be a success for the club in the future? Let us know your thoughts below!***