Arsenal have edged closer to signing St Etienne defender William Saliba.

The Gunners reached an agreement with Saliba over a deal to bring the Saint-Etienne centre-back to the Emirates on a five-year deal.

Foot Mercato says the North London side have stepped up their interest in the teenager, and have agreed terms with the player.

They state that all Arsenal need to do now is agree a fee with the Ligue 1 side, but they know that the defender has no shortage of admirers.

It is believed that any potential suitor of Saliba will have to fork out around £25million to snare him away from Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Saliba has been identified as a potential replacement for Laurent Koscielny, with the 33-year-old a reported target for Borussia Dortmund.