Arsenal finally accepts the transfer of William Saliba to beat Tottenham against the young defender

Arsenal finally accepted a £ 28m contract for St. Stephen defender William Saliba after defeating Tottenham's interests.

Defender teenager Saliba, 18, has chosen to join Arsenal before the Spurs and undergo a medical examination Tuesday.

Saliba will then be loaned for a season to Saint-Etienne, but would have wanted to join Arsenal for its development.

Arsenal was delighted to repay the loan as it means they can pay the transfer fee over a longer period and Saliba is considered one of the best young defensive prospects in Europe.

Tottenham had made a counter-offer to Saliba while Arsenal was flying to the United States for their pre-season tour, but could not break the deal.

Before Saliba, the Gunners had managed to sign a contract with the capture of teenage striker Gabriel Martinelli from Brazilian club Ituano earlier this month.

The 18-year-old opened his club account with a beautiful header in the Gunners' 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids last Tuesday, which began their tour of the United States.

More recently, Unai Emery players began their tournament of the International Champions Cup with a 2-1 win over Bayern Munich where Eddie Nketiah scored the winning goal.

Although their efforts remain focused on the field, the club representatives will work to fulfill Emery's wishes to strengthen a team that wants to secure football in the Champions League next season.

According to reports, the Gunners have seen two offers by Celtic side defender Kieran Tierney rejected, while their pursuit against Wilfried Zaha is too expensive.

Elsewhere, they have been badociated with the movement for the Brazilian international Everton Soares, who has just helped his country to win the title of Copa America.

Arsenal will play its second game of the International Cup of Champions against Italy's Fiorentina in North Carolina tonight.