Arsenal transfer target William Saliba is prepared to stay at Saint-Etienne for the 2019-20 season.
The Gunners are in talks to sign the highly-rated 18-year-old with the Ligue 1 club are demanding 30 million euros (£26.5m) for their prized talent.
Saint-Etienne are also seeking an agreement that would see them keep the centre-back on loan next season before moving he moves to north London in 2020.
While Unai Emery is keen to bolster his defensive options this summer it is understood Arsenal are considering those terms, eager to secure Saliba's future before a rival club swoops in.
Saint-Etienne head coach Ghislain Printant however insists the club are under no pressure to sell this summer, adding Saliba is open to staying on a further year with the club.
"The sale of Saliba is not an absolute necessity," Printant told reporters.
"There is no urgency [to do so]. He is courted by clubs.
"From a sporting point of view we want to keep him next season and that's his wish too. He still has room for development [here].
"We will see. Our goal is for him to be with us again this season."
Arsenal are also pressing ahead with their attempts to sign Kieran Tierney from Celtic.
The Gunners have had two bids rejected of £15m and £18m.
