Arsenal have, according to reports from France, completed the signing of William Saliba from St Etienne, but is it a good deal for the Gunners?
Twitter: 5-year contract for William Saliba with Arsenal, loaned back to St Étienne for the 2019/20 campaign – done deal. (YS) (@GFFN)
Arsenal are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements, so does it make sense for them to sign a defender and then loan him out?
Firstly, this deal shows just how keen the Gunners are to get Saliba, so the Arsenal scouts must be certain that the 18-year-old is a future star and if they’re right and he reaches his potential at The Emirates in the future, then nobody will really care that he was loaned out for a year.
However, where this signing could be questioned is if Arsenal are now unable to bring in other immediate defensive upgrades.
Unai Emery’s side looked good in attack for most of the season but at the back, they were dreadful and improvements are needed immediately.
If Saliba’s signing has taken away funds, or has taken away the desire, for the Gunners to sign at least one high-class defender this summer then it will be a mistake.
If that’s not the case, then there is no reason to be unhappy with the Gunners securing a deal for a teenager who could become a star.
