Arsenal-owned William Saliba is going to have to wait a little longer before testing himself against one of Europe’s elite clubs.
The 19-year-old defender is seemingly heading back to parent club Arsenal after the Gunners and Saint-Etinne failed to agree an extension of his loan.
Saliba, a £27 million signing by the North Londoners last summer, was originally loaned back to the Ligue 1 club until the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
But Saint-Etienne’s season doesn’t finish until July 24 as a French Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain lies on the horizon.
However, the Emirates Stadium side have been accused by Saint-Etienne of ‘imposing absolutely unacceptable sports and financial conditions’ in negotiating Saliba’s extension.
And according to France-based outlet But!, the player himself has an ‘immense’ sense of disappointment that an agreement couldn’t be reached.
You can understand both sides.
On one hand, Arsenal need Saliba – who spent time on the sidelines with a broken foot earlier this season – to come back in peak condition to start preparing for the 2020-21 campaign.
On the other, he’s obviously a big player for the French outfit and therefore his presence might have helped Claude Puel’s side upset PSG.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
