'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What is the story?
Arsenal are edging closer to completing the signing of William Saliba, as per a report from a French journalist, Mohamed Bouhafsi.
In case you didn't know...
Despite starting well last season across all competitions, the Gunners not only failed to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League but also faced a shambolic 4-1 defeat at the hands of their fellow Londoners Chelsea FC in the final of UEFA Europa League 2018-19.
Trending
Arsenal's defensive line has been criticized for all their unexpected results. Last season, Arsenal conceded 51 goals in the Premier League and only Manchester United in the top-nine has conceded more goals than the Gunners.
The 18-year-old centre-back had a fascinating 2018-19 season for AS Saint-Etienne in the French League. Despite having made only 16 starts in the Ligue 1 for the French side, his outstanding performances caught the eyes of several European heavyweights.
In the 2018-19 season, William Saliba won 63% tackles per match and averaged 86% passing accuracy. He also won 80 duels throughout his glittering campaign for Saint-Etienne.
Also see : Barcelona Transfer News, Arsenal Transfer News, Manchester united Transfer News.
The heart of the matter
According to Mohamed Bouhafsi, Arsenal is on the brink of signing William Saliba. The deal is expected to cost Arsenal around €30million.
As per the same report, the player has agreed his personal terms with the Londoners, whilst both clubs are still discussing on transfer bonuses and add-ons.
What's next?
Meanwhile, the Gunners have been linked with Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney and Crystal Palace superstar forward Wilfred Zaha. However, Arsenal needs to sell a few players first to raise funds to make these transfers happen. The Gunners will play their first pre-season match against Colorado on 16th July at DSG Park and travel to Newcastle on 11 August to play their first game of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign.
