Saint-Etienne slam Arsenal after missing out on signing Saliba

Arsenal has been accused of delaying the process of Willian Saliba’s loan move which eventually ended up in failure of the transfer.

Arsenal’s Willian Saliba was expected to move away on loan to Saint-Etienne on the deadline day of the summer transfer window.

The 19-year-old center-back spent the entire last season on loan with the French side with Arsenal aiming to let their €30 million-signing of the 2019 summer window continue development in his natural environment.

Having brought in more new defenders in Pablo Mari and Gabriel Magalhaes, the Gunners yet again opted to send Saliba to his childhood club on a temporary basis.

A return to ASSE on a season-loan deal was reportedly on the verge of happening for the Frenchman. However, delays on the deadline day on Arsenal’s side saw him end up staying in London.

A statement on Saint-Etienne’s official website read: “Long before the transfer window closed, AS Saint-Etienne had reached an agreement with William Saliba and accepted Arsenal’s offer for a one-season loan.

“Unfortunately, all the administrative conditions could not be met in time, in England, for the completion of the deal.

“The disappointment is great for ASSE and William Saliba, who was particularly determined to return to a club where he has flourished.”