Former Saint Etienne sports chief David Wantier says selling William Saliba to Arsenal was good business.

ASSE coach Claude Puel remains upset losing the defender, who regards very highly.

But Wantier told L'Equipe: "Bad deal for Saliba? No.

"The club needed this money to build the next team.

"Roland Romeyer, my president, for whom I have the greatest respect, would say to me: 'One of yours is better than two you do not need'."

ASSE raised €40m from Saliba's sale last year.