Tottenham chief Daniel Levy hijacked William Saliba to Arsenal transfer for two reasons
TOTTENHAM are looking to continue their busy summer in the transfer market and if they manage to successfully seal the signing of William Saliba ahead of Arsenal, it will be bittersweet for supporters.
Saint Etienne: William Saliba shows his defensive skills
Daniel Levy looks to have stepped up his efforts to sign the defender from St Etienne, after the Gunners were on the cusp of winning the race for his signature.
Arsenal were closing in on a £27million deal for the 18-year-old which would see him loaned back to the French club next season.
Wolves had also been interested before Unai Emery had received assurances from the board that the signing of Saliba would not come out of this season’s £45m budget.
However, Spurs look like they’re prepared to hijack the deal and swoop in ahead of their north London rivals.
Tottenham are confident that Toby Alderweireld will stay at the club beyond this summer but the Belgian has a release clause in his current contract which means he can be bought for £25million between now and July 26.
Sky Italia claim that Levy met with Roma chief Franco Baldini, the former Tottenham technical director, in London to discuss a potential deal.
Alderweireld’s representatives are said to have presented high demands in a meeting with the Serie A club on Thursday.
Should he go, Tottenham would be keen to sign Saliba and throw him straight into the first team set-up as a replacement.
Why Tottenham chief Levy has decided to hijack Arsenal transfer for Saliba (Image: GETTY)
Tottenham have stolen after Arsenal agreed a transfer deal for William Saliba (Image: GETTY)
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is finally backing Pochettino in the transfer market (Image: GETTY)
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Even if the 30-year-old centre-back stays put for another campaign, he is likely to leave the club next summer when his contract expires.
Another reason Tottenham have decided to pursue a deal for Saliba is that Jan Vertonghen’s contract is also up in a year’s time, meaning he could also be free to leave.
The teenager enjoyed a standout breakthrough campaign in Ligue 1 after making his debut last September.
Saliba has only been at the club since 2016, but it now looks as if St Etienne chiefs will be able to cash in on their young star and earn a huge profit to reinvest in the squad.
Mauricio Pochettino currently has Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth in reserve but the Belgian duo have both been key figures throughout the Argentine’s tenure.