ARSENAL are lining up a £25million summer move for Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba, according to reports.

According to Goal, the Gunners have been impressed with the 18-year-old's performances this season as he made his Ligue 1 breakthrough.

Unai Emery is keen to bolster his defence this summer after his side conceded 51 Premier League goals this season.

And with Laurent Koscielny now 33 and Sokratis 30, a young centre-back is a must.

Error-prone Shkodran Mustafi has been linked with a move to AC Milan leaving Konstantinos Mavrapanos, 21, and Rob Holding, 23, as the two young centre-backs at the club.

Saliba enjoyed a fine campaign for the Ligue 1 side, making 19 appearances across all competitions, helping his side qualify for Europe next season.

The youngster, who can also fill in at right-back, was first taught by Wilfried Mbappe, Kylian's father, when he was six.

WILL GO VAR

He has since played for France at Under-16, U17, U18 and U19 level and is destined to become a senior international in the years to come.

Jose Mourinho compared the youngster to Kurt Zouma while others have said he is similar to Raphael Varane, the Real Madrid and France star who has won the Champions League and World Cup.

But Arsenal will need to be swift if they want to land Saliba.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move while it is thought Real Madrid are interested.

Saint-Etienne are desperate to keep hold of their prodigy for a while longer, knowing his transfer fee will continue to rise.

Saliba put pen to paper on a new deal just one month ago, tying him down until 2023 and protecting his market value.

At the time, he said: "I am very happy to extend my adventure with Saint-Etienne, the club where I came up from as a youngster.

"I want to stay concentrated, with my head on my shoulders, and to continue to work. I have still not done anything and I still have it all to prove.

"The end of the season will be exciting to live through and I cannot wait to participate in it."

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