It’s never easy being an Arsenal fan during the months of June, July and August.
The Gunners are forever a perennial player in the summer transfer market, and this year has been no different with Unai Emery’s side seemingly linked with every player going, but through the noise, there is some genuine news and actual movement regarding signings, and one of these names is Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba.
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are close to agreeing a deal with the Ligue 1 side for the 18-year-old defender said to be around £26.5 million with the intention of Saliba heading back to France for next season, but the report indicates that although the Gunners are the front-runners for the teenager, north London rivals Tottenham are also in the hunt for the promising centre-back.
Of course, Spurs are not the only Premier League club to have been cited recently as interested in Saliba, with the players agent reportedly in Manchester amid rumours of Manchester’s United interest in the defender via the Metro, and with two league rivals interested in the teenager, Arsenal need to ensure the deal for the defender is wrapped up as soon as possible.
Last season saw Arsenal’s defensive flaws in all it’s painful glory, as results at the tail end of the season against Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Chelsea in the Europa League final more than showed that the club needs reinforcements this transfer window.
Although the Saliba transfer is likely to see the defender head back on loan to Saint-Etienne for the year, it is still important to get a deal done for a player who has the potential to man the Gunners defence for years to come.
Arsenal fans, is Saliba a smart signing? Let us know!
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