Arsenal and William Saliba: Do what you have to

Arsenal are reportedly chasing William Saliba of St Etienne. If they really do like the 18-year-old centre-half, they must do what they have to to sign him.

Last summer, Arsenal wanted Lucas Torreira. From day one of the summer window, they were eager to sign the Uruguayan international. Sven Mislintat and Raul Sanllehi had identified as a key figure to bolster the midfield options, Unai Emery was then brought on board with the idea, and the approach to Sampdoria was made.

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The World Cup slowed down proceedings, then financial restrictions played their part, but in the end, the Gunner got their man, even paying an extra £4 million to ensure they got him, paying £26 million even when there was a £22 million release clause. The reason for this was that they wanted to pay in instalments, whereas a release clause demands you pay the fee up front.

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Torreira since established himself as a key player in the heart of the midfield, just as the hierarchy at London Colney believed he would, and is now largely seen as an absolute bargain — if Arsenal were to try and sell the ankle-snapping 23-year-old this summer, they would double their money and then some.

The moral of the story is this: if you believe in a player, go and get him, even if you have to overpay or make some sacrifices to do so.

This is something that Arsenal rarely did under Arsene Wenger. They penny-pinched, hesitated, dallied, uncertain of what to do. But last summer, they were ruthless, clinical, purposeful, clear, decisive, all things that successful modern football clubs are in the transfer market. They need to be the same this summer.

One name that has been linked with a move to north London is St Etienne centre-half, William Saliba. The Frenchman is seen as one of the brightest young talents in Europe. Any 18-year-old playing regular football in a top-five European league would be. And so, there is a whole raft of clubs chasing his services, including Arsenal.

How good Saliba actually is, no one really knows. Projecting the career of any young player is extremely difficult. But if Sanllehi and Emery believe that he has terrific ability and could develop into a world-class centre-back, they need to do everything they can to make sure that he is playing at the Emirates, just as they did with Torreira last summer.

The higher-ups were confident that Torreira was going to be an excellent player, that he would develop into a critical player at the club over the next decade. And so they were swift in their pursuit of him, jumping over all of the hurdles that were in front of them.

If they now feel the same about Saliba, — or any player for that matter — they must act in the same clinical manner. Overpaying for a player you are confident about is not really overpaying at all. In the case of Saliba, then, Arsenal should do everything in their power to ensure he is theirs.