Arsenal: William Saliba loan a necessary evil

Per RMC Sport, Arsenal have agreed to loan back William Saliba to Saint Etienne as a part of a £27 million deal. That may sound foolish, but it is a necessary evil.

Arsenal need a centre-half. I don’t think there are many that would argue against that statement. There are many, in fact, who believe that it is the greatest position of need this summer. I do not quite agree, but I can certainly understand the sentiment. However you rank the different areas of need, though, the overall point is the same: the centre-back position requires investment.

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So it may seem a little odd that the frontrunning target that the club has seemingly highlighted this summer will not actually arrive at the Emirates for a whole season.

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The Gunners have Saint Etienne central defender William Saliba in their sights. Saliba is an 18-year-old centre-back who has burst onto the scene over the past season, playing 16 Ligue 1 games. Personal terms were reportedly agreed upon earlier in the summer while negotiations between the two clubs have been ongoing in the meantime, Arsenal predictably attempting to low-ball the French club.

However, this week, RMC Sport has reported that the two clubs have reached an agreement, thought to be in the region of £26 million. That may seem steep for an 18-year-old who has only one year of senior football, but it speaks to how highly rated Saliba is throughout Europe and what his potential is. There is just one caveat. Saliba is set to be loaned back to St. Etienne for a season before he arrives permanently in north London.

Now, I understand if the immediate reaction is confusion. Why would a team that is so needy at centre-half buy one that they cannot use for a whole year? It seems a little odd, right?

And, in fairness, it is slightly unusual. But Arsenal are not signing Saliba for his immediate impact, however much they need one. You do not turn to an 18-year-old for an instant improvement at such a challenging and experienced position. And Unai Emery may believe that in Rob Holding, Dinos Mavropanos and the returning Calum Chambers that he has enough to get by for another year.

This, obviously, is not ideal, but per all the reports, St. Etienne were unwilling to sell without a loan clause inserted into the deal. And if Unai Emery and his coaching staff do believe that Saliba is as brilliant as £26 million for an 18-year-old implies, then that is a clause that is worth sacrificing, however frustrating it may seem.

So yes, a loan back to St. Etienne is not ideal. Not at all. But if Saliba is special, it is a necessary evil.