St Etienne management have confirmed they tried to re-sign Willian Saliba on-loan from Arsenal before last night's transfer deadline.

Saliba had spent last season on-loan with ASSE and they have now revealed a new deal was also discussed.

ASSE said in a statement: "Long before the transfer window closed, AS Saint-Étienne had reached an agreement with William Saliba and accepted Arsenal's proposal for a one-season loan.

"Unfortunately, all the administrative conditions could not be met in time, in England, for the finalisation of the transfer.

"The disappointment is great for ASSE and William Saliba, particularly determined to return to the club where he had flourished."