Arsenal 'win the race for William Saliba'

Arsenal have reportedly held off competition from Tottenham Hotspur to agree a deal with Saint-Etienne for the transfer of teenage centre-back William Saliba.

The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for the 18-year-old over the last few weeks.

According to respected local journalist Laurent Hess, Arsenal have agreed a price of £27m plus add-ons for the Frenchman, who will remain with Saint-Etienne on loan for the 2019-20 campaign.

Saliba, who only recently agreed a new four-year contract with Les Verts, made 16 Ligue 1 appearances for his French club last term.

Gabriel Martinelli is thus far the only new face at the Emirates Stadium this summer, but head coach Unai Emery recently claimed that the club would be making "three or four" more new signings before the start of the season.