It’s been much more hype than substance for Arsenal FC this summer transfer window, as they have yet to sign a single new player this silly season. However, there has been of transfer gossip to around lately, as reports claim the north London side have been extremely busy working the market.
Hopefully, there will be actual signings to talk about between now and when training camp opens up in July, but until then, here are some of the top trending news items and transfer narratives in the Arsenal online community on this Thursday. Go here for part one of Arsenal FC transfer talk.
According to a report in France, Arsenal are after Monaco winger Keita Balde, a 24-year-old Senegal international. French publication Le10Sport state there is interest in Balde from Arsenal, but some other suitors with deeper pockets could be in the mix.
90 Min has more on this transfer narrative, over at this link, mentioning that the north London club will be hamstrung by a relatively spartan £45 million budget.
Elsewhere, Arsenal gave up more than 50 goals last season, so the back line needs to be the top priority this transfer market. With that in mind, 18-year-old French defender William Saliba, who currently plies his trade with St. Etienne, is reportedly set to become the club’s first signing this summer.
According to ESPN FC, the two sides have reached agreement on a €25 million deal.
The report goes on to say that Saliba, once acquired, will stay on loan in France for the upcoming season. ESPN also claims that the Gunners beat out Paris Saint-Germain and north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the punch on this one.
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