Spurs transfer news: Saint-Etienne manager wants to keep William Saliba next season

Saint-Etienne manager, Ghislain Printant, wants to keep hold of William Saliba, despite the 18-year-old being linked with Tottenham (h/t Metro).

The centre-back was impressive for the Ligue 1 side, and the report adds that Arsenal are also interested in the French defender.

French reports (h/t Metro) claimed that Arsenal had a bid of €23m plus €7m in bonuses rejected, as Saint-Etienne want €30m to be paid upfront.

The report claims that Arsenal were willing to send Saliba back on loan to beat Spurs to the signing too.

Printant claimed that the club don’t have to sell Saliba, and wants to keep hold of the rising star (h/t Metro):

“The sale of Saliba is not an absolute necessity.

“There is no urgency [to do so]. He is courted by clubs. From a sporting point of view we want to keep him next season and that’s his wish too. He still has room for development.

“We will see. Our goal is for him to be with us again this season.”

Saliba broke into the Ligue 1 side’s first-team this season and is comfortable playing as a right-back.

Spurs are looking for an Alderweireld replacement

The report adds that Spurs are looking at a replacement for Toby Alderweireld.

The Belgian is out of a contract at the end of the next season and could leave this summer on the cheap.

The Belgian is one of the best central defenders in the Premier League, and finding a replacement will not be easy.

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Alderweireld was one of the senior players not to get injured last season, and hopefully, he stays at Spurs for a while.