Arsenal told Saint-Etienne are ‘under no obligation’ to sell Saliba as Gunners transfer bid suffers blow

ST ETIENNE have told Arsenal they are in “no obligation to sell” transfer target William Saliba in a fresh transfer blow for the Gunners.

Emirates chiefs have also launched an audacious £40million bid for Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, which is just half the sum the Eagles have asked for their star.

Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms with Saliba, 18, but are yet to strike a £23m deal with St Etienne for the centre-back.

The Ligue 1 side want the defender to be loaned back to them for the 2019/20 season, which is believed to be a stumbling block in negotiations.

And club president Roland Romeyer has now dealt a further blow to Unai Emery‘s plans.

He has said that St Etienne won’t budge on their demands as they are in no urgent need to sell their players.

Romeyer said: “William is under contract with St Étienne until 2023.

“He likes it here and wants to play European football with the club that grew him at youth level.

“I understand that he is sought after owing to his talent and the qualities that he showed last season.

“[But] we are under no obligation to sell him to another club, nor are we in some urgent financial situation.”

Meanwhile, cash-strapped Arsenal are still hoping they will be able to seal a deal for Eagles star Zaha, 26.

But their £40m bid is almost certain to be rejected as it is way off Palace’s valuation.

Zaha’s brother Judicael has revealed a move to the Emirates would be a dream come true for the Selhurst Park hero.

However, the Eagles are holding out for £80m as they must give 25 per cent of any fee to Manchester United.