Arsenal confirm their third signing of the summer

Arsenal have announced the signing of defender William Saliba from Saint-Etienne just a couple of hours after the arrival of Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid.

The French defender has become the club's third purchase of the summer transfer window, but he won't feature for the first-team this season, considering he will re-join Saint-Etienne on loan.

"Highly-rated French defender William Saliba is joining us from Ligue 1 club Saint-Etienne on a long-term deal. The centre-half will spend a season back on loan at St Etienne before joining our squad next summer." a statement read on the club's official website.

Saint-Etienne had received offers from both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur for Saliba this month, but the former won the race owing to the preference of the 18-year-old.

Aside from Saliba, Arsenal have recruited the services of Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli from Real Madrid and Ituano respectively but the former has only joined on a season-long loan without the option to buy.

The club are expected to continue with their spending in the forthcoming weeks with a new winger and left-back said to be among Unai Emery's top priorities ahead of next season.