William Saliba signs for Arsenal

[Spurzinho]

Embarrassing to admit, but I remember being absolutely devastated to the point of shedding tears when we didn't get Phil Babb. As an Ireland supporter watching him and McGrath put on a masterclass against Italy in the world cup that summer, I genuinely thought we'd missed out on the world's new best defender!

If we're being brutally honest I used to be inconsolable back in the day when we missed out on anyone. Does anyone remember the nailbiting first season under Glenn when we all genuinely believed that we had Fernando Morientes tied up as long as we finished 7th and secured Eufa Cup football? Suffice to say we finished 9th and we never suffered the indignity of him going somewhere else anyway.

There are so many stories just like that one. Mostly from the dark days.

 

[Danny1]

I forgot the window closed so early that's about 3 weeks.

Im really happy about that aswell! Makes it all a bit more bearable!

 

[L-man]

He talks about joining the club rather than a transfer/ loan back. Arsenals offer was a loan back but it seems ours wasn't.

Am I reading too much into the fact he doesn't mention a loan and could be an indication that he's chosen us?

 

[THFCSPURS19]

He talks about joining the club rather than a transfer/ loan back. Arsenals offer was a loan back but it seems ours wasn't.

Am I reading too much into the fact he doesn't mention a loan and could be an indication that he's chosen us?

Could be wrong, but the fact that he says he 'hopes' everyone is happy suggests to me they may have accepted a permanent transfer (couldn't refuse the money etc.), which probably isn't Saliba's preference.

 

[pelayo59]

Could be wrong, but the fact that he says he 'hopes' everyone is happy suggests to me they may have accepted a permanent transfer (couldn't refuse the money etc.), which probably isn't Saliba's preference.

Or he's just happy joining Arsenal/Tottenham, but hope you are correct

 

[philll]

I imagine the demand for the loan back was more from the club than the player.

 

[Lilbaz]

I imagine the demand for the loan back was more from the club than the player.

He's only 18. Sure he'd be more happy playing 1st team football and developing than sitting on a bench. He'll be getting a good wage and his future secured at a top club. Think it works well for everyone. Especially if toby stays another year.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

RMC say Arsenal have matched offer.

https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football...ur-d-une-lutte-arsenal-tottenham-1731242.html

MERCATO: SALIBA AT THE HEART OF AN ARSENAL-TOTTENHAM FIGHT

According to RMC Sport, William Saliba (18), defender of Saint-Etienne, is the subject of a fight between the two rival clubs of London, Tottenham and Arsenal. It suits the Greens who could benefit.

Arsenal and Tottenham do not just fight on the ground or in the hearts of Londoners. The two big enemies are engaged in another big battle on the transfer window targeting the same target: the defender of Saint-Etienne, William Saliba (18 years). And Saint-Etienne could well benefit from this fierce struggle for the French promise.
A meeting Saint-Etienne-Tottenham
According to our information, a meeting took place between Tottenham and Saint-Etienne , Saturday to try to complete the operation. The Spurs have proposed 30 million euros excluding bonuses. An offer superior to the first proposal of Arsenal ( who had drawn the first ) bonus included.
Arsenal replies and the Greens temporize
Arsenal has decided to react to this advantage taken by its rival by aligning with the offer of Tottenham in recent hours. For its part, the ASSE now wants to delay to study two things. The first concerns the player's sports wish and priority.
The second is to see if both clubs can still raise the stakes. The club Forez is in no hurry but things could accelerate if one of the two clubs decided to increase its offer to finalize the operation. The derby of North London is also played behind the scenes.

 

[SpartanSpur]

So another one to drag on and on then. If we are serious then it seems to me we can outmuscle Arsenal financially. They really seem to be struggling with up front fees this summer. Sounds like they'll still put that ahead of the players wish, although I'm sure he'd happily sign for either.

 

[Primativ]

I do think him staying on loan for another full season in France is good for his development, but...I struggle to see us spending such a large amount of money on a kid only to send him back on loan.

30 million or so is a large amount of money, especially for an 18 year old. I mean it would be right up there as one of our most expensive signings ever. It would be quite surprising if we did send him back on loan.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

A bidding war, you say?

I hope we bid £500k more and absolutely blow Arsenal out of the water.

 

[yido_number1]

I do think him staying on loan for another full season in France is good for his development, but...I struggle to see us spending such a large amount of money on a kid only to send him back on loan.

30 million or so is a large amount of money, especially for an 18 year old. I mean it would be right up there as one of our most expensive signings ever. It would be quite surprising if we did send him back on loan.

Guess it depends if the club see it as a necessary evil to landing him. IF they see him as a world class talent to be and Toby has given indications he will see out his last year they may not be that worried about it.

 

[oskathegobshite]

We could still loan him without sending him back to SE as part of the deal of course

 

[THFCSPURS19]

We could still loan him without sending him back to SE as part of the deal of course

Why would we do that? Doesn't sound remotely appealing to any party.

 

[oskathegobshite]

Why would we do that? Doesn't sound remotely appealing to any party.

His age maybe. If he has that kind of potential we might have lined up a better loan for him. Not likely but you never know. My point is I cannot see an 18 year old centre half getting many games here in the Premiership no matter how good he is

 

[THFCSPURS19]

His age maybe. If he has that kind of potential we might have lined up a better loan for him. Not likely but you never know. My point is I cannot see an 18 year old centre half getting many games here in the Premiership no matter how good he is

I can't see how there is a better loan for him than playing in a Top 5 league with coaches who know him and trust him.

 

[bigfrooj]

I don’t think Daniel Levy will get lured into an amateurish bidding war like this somehow, if true. He’d just walk away without a second thought.

 

[Adam456]

I can't see how there is a better loan for him than playing in a Top 5 league with coaches who know him and trust him.

Yes - unless (unlikely) they thought that he was being badly coached there. It will also, perhaps, allow him to mentally adjust to the challenge of moving to a new country and the most competitive league in the world.

Plus a year to learn English if he hasn't already. This may be why we've loaned Jack Clarke back to Leeds, though I've never heard him speak so probably a bit harsh

 

[Lilbaz]

I don’t think Daniel Levy will get lured into an amateurish bidding war like this somehow, if true. He’d just walk away without a second thought.

Both bids should be accepted then let the player decide.

 

[wrd]

Im of the opinion that the longer we have no ITK the better.