Arsenal to hold talks for Ligue 1 defender

Arsenal are set to hold formal discussions with Saint-Etienne on Tuesday as they seek to finalise a potential move for defender William Saliba.

The teenager made his breakthrough for the Ligue 1 side last campaign and impressed with the 16 appearances in the French top-flight.

As such, he has been touted for a big-club move and French journalist Manu Lonjon claims that the Gunners will meet up with Saint-Etienne to discuss a transfer for the 18-year-old.

Saint-Etienne are understood to value the defender at around £27m and reports indicate that the club would prefer re-signing him on loan for the 2019/2020 season.

That demand may not suit the Gunners, who are keen on bolstering the central defence, although Emery does not want to miss out on the Frenchman, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Arsenal are yet to make a signing during this summer's transfer window but they are already in negotiations with a number of players including Celtic's Kieran Tierney.