Arsenal agree terms with highly-rated French defender?

Arsenal have reportedly finalised provisional personal terms with defender William Saliba ahead of a potential move for his services this summer.

The Gunners have shown a keen interest in signing the Saint-Etienne centre-back in recent weeks and Foot Mercato claims that they have sorted out terms over a five-year deal.

Still, the north London outfit are said to be discussing a transfer fee with the Ligue 1 side and reports indicate that Saint-Etienne are likely to demand a sum of around £25m for their graduate.

Aside from Arsenal, the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United have also been linked with the defender but neither of those clubs have made a formal approach to the player's employers.

Other than Saliba, the Gunners have been working into a deal for Lorient's Alexis Claude-Maurice and reports indicate that they are close to sealing a transfer agreement.

Claude-Maurice, who is a left winger by trade, has already finalised contractual terms with the Gunners and the club are currently planning a bid which may come close to Lorient's £17.8m price tag.