Arsenal will announce the signing of Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba “in the coming days” according to But! Football Club.

The French news outlet says sources have confirmed that the Gunners have agreed a €30m (£27m) fee for the 18-year-old.

Saliba will become the club’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Gabriel Martinelli from Ituano earlier this month.

Gunners fans will, however, have to wait a whole year before seeing the centre-back play for the club.

Saliba will spend next season back on loan at Saint-Etienne before joining up with Arsenal next summer.

There had been reports that Tottenham were trying to muscle in on negotiations for the teenager, but it appears the North London rivals have failed to persuade the player into joining them instead.

Saliba has only made 19 senior appearances for Saint-Etienne but he is widely thought of as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.