Arsenal have reportedly matched Tottenham 's bid for William Saliba as the north London rivals' tug-of-war over the St Etienne defender takes a new twist.
A deal between the Gunners and the Ligue 1 outfit had been agreed for €30million last week - only for Spurs to try and hijack the transfer.
Now though, Arsenal have decided to match that offer from White Hart Lane with a bid of €30m plus add ons, according to French radio station RMC .
They state Spurs met with the Ligue 1 club on Saturday to make their 11th hour offer. But St Etienne are in now rush to sell and are keen on a bidding war for the player.
The 18-year-old will remain in France no matter who he signs for this summer with St Etienne insisting on a season-long loan deal as part of the move.
Arsenal are on the lookout for new centre backs. That need was heightened when Laurent Koscielny refused to go on their pre-season tour after demanding he was released from his contract.
Reports in France suggest Koscielny was offered a one-year extension before his refusal to travel in his bid to return to his homeland.
A number of clubs, including Lyon and Bordeuax, are interested in taking him back to France.
The Gunners are also set to make a third bid for Celtic defender Kieran Tierney after having a second offer rejected.
Celtic are holding out for £25million for the fans' favourite and were unimpressed with the structure of the Gunners' offer which was made up of a series of staggered clauses.
But Emery is working with a modest £45million transfer budget this window and is being forced to shop wisely.
