Transfer Centre

Arsenal confirm £27m signing of William Saliba

| 25 July 2019

Arsenal confirm £27m signing of William Saliba

The Gunners are reported to have paid a fee in the region of £27million for the 18-year-old who will return to the French club on loan.

Arsenal have announced the signing of William Saliba from St Etienne on a long-term contract.

The 18-year-old defender will spend next season on loan at the Ligue 1 club before linking up with the Gunners next summer.

Saliba was the second deal confirmed in the space of two hours by the Premier League club after the capture of Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos on a season-long loan.

William will spend a season back on loan at @ASSEofficiel before joining our squad next summer.

🇫🇷 #SalibaSigns

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 25, 2019

Arsenal are believed to have been interested in the teenager for some time and but finally landed their man for a fee reported to be in the region of £27million.

"Highly-rated French defender William Saliba is joining us from Ligue 1 club Saint-Etienne on a long-term contract," the club announced on their official website.

"The much sought after centre-half will spend a season back on loan at St Etienne before joining our squad next summer."

Head coach Unai Emery added: "We're delighted William is joining us. Many teams wanted him but he decided he wanted to come to us and be part of our future.

"He will stay in France next season for more experience and then we look forward to him joining our group."