SPURS EYE SALI STEAL

St Etienne starlet had agreed terms with Arsenal.. but Gunners could miss out to rivals

TOTTENHAM are ready to hijack Arsenal’s £27million move for William Saliba.

The Saint Etienne defender had already agreed terms with the Gunners and was all set to sign a five-year deal before being loaned back next season.

But Spurs have been monitoring developments over the last few weeks and are ready to blow Arsenal’s offer out of the water. They have more money to spend after their run to the Champions League final, while Arsenal boss Unai Emery’s transfer budget is restricted.

Arsenal had agreed a payment structure with Saint Etienne which involved paying most of the fee next summer. But Spurs have told the French side they are willing to offer a bigger slice of the fee up front and are also willing to send him back on loan next season.

It is understood Tottenham have offered more alluring add-ons too. France Under-20 star Saliba must now choose where his future lies – leaving Arsenal sweating on his decision.

The Gunners are currently in turmoil, with skipper Laurent Koscielny facing a fine for refusing to go on their preseason tour. He wants to be allowed to leave the club on a free despite having one year left on his contract, with Rennes pushing hardest to sign him. Arsenal are desperate to raise cash from sales to reinvest in the squad and want £8.9m for him, with the club willing to dig in their heels.

But they are struggling of offload German defender Shkodran Mustafi, who has made it clear he wants to stay and fight for his place.

Spurs also have issues in defence. Toby Alderweireld’s £25m release clause is currently active and Roma are closing in on the Belgium star.

At one point it looked as though the Serie A giants had shelved their interest – but a deal is now back on the cards after high-level talks yesterday.

Spurs are interested in highly-rated Italy midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo, and Roma could include him in any deal for Alderweireld.

And they have also launched a second raid on Leeds after joining the bidding for rising midfield star Kalvin Phillips, who could cost up to £30m. Tottenham have already paid Leeds £9m for teenage winger Jack Clarke, but have sent him back to Elland Road on loan.