https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/arsenal-strike-back-spurs-william-18261919
Arsenal strike back at Spurs as William Saliba transfer scrap takes ANOTHER twist
Unai Emery has targeted the St Etienne defender and the Gunners are reported to have matched Spurs' late bid.
Arsenal have reportedly matched
Tottenham's bid for William Saliba as the north London rivals' tug-of-war over the St Etienne defender takes a new twist.
A deal between the Gunners and the Ligue 1 outfit had been agreed for €30million last week - only for Spurs to try and hijack the transfer.
Now though,
Arsenal have decided to match that offer from White Hart Lane with a bid of €30m plus add ons, according to French radio station
RMC.
They state Spurs met with the Ligue 1 club on Saturday to make their 11th hour offer. But St Etienne are in now rush to sell and are keen on a bidding war for the player.
The 18-year-old will remain in France no matter who he signs for this summer with St Etienne insisting on a season-long loan deal as part of the move.
Arsenal are on the lookout for new centre backs. That need was heightened when Laurent Koscielny refused to go on their pre-season tour after demanding he was released from his contract.
Reports in France suggest Koscielny was offered a one-year extension before his refusal to travel in his bid to return to his homeland.
A number of clubs, including Lyon and Bordeuax, are interested in taking him back to France.
The Gunners are also set to make a third bid for Celtic defender
Kieran Tierney after having a second offer rejected.
Celtic are holding out for £25million for the fans' favourite and were unimpressed with the structure of the Gunners' offer which was made up of a series of staggered clauses.
But Emery is working with a modest £45million transfer budget this window and is being forced to shop wisely.