Arsenal are poised to announce their second signing of the summer transfer window.
Goal.com report that a deal worth €30m has now been done to sign William Saliba from Ligue 1 outfit Saint Etienne.
However, Arsenal supporters will have to wait another year to see the talented teenager in action as the agreement is that he will be loaned back to the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard for the upcoming season.
So, how could the Gunners start on the opening day of the 2020/21 season with the defender in the starting XI?
Well, we just want to focus on the defence as who knows what changes are in store for Arsenal in terms of going forward.
Here we take a look into the future and two ways in which the north London outfit could start the 2020/21 season with Saliba in the team...
Back four
Bernd Leno is now the Arsenal number one figuratively and literally as he's taken over that squad number following the retirement of Petr Cech.
Barring an alarming drop in form next season or one of the world's top goalkeepers becomes available, there's no reason to think the German won't be in between the sticks come August 2020.
Who occupies the full-back slots remains to be seen.
Hector Bellerin should be fully fit to play at right-back, while the Gunners will hopefully seal a deal for Kieran Tierney this summer so that the Scotland international can operate on the opposite side.
But who would Saliba partner in the heart of defence?
One would assume that Shkodran Mustafi, Laurent Koscielny and Calum Chambers will all be long gone so that narrows down the options and it's possible a new central defender doesn't arrive this summer.
In that case Saliba could line-up alongside Sokratis, meaning he can learn under the experienced Greek international in his first season.
Back three
A formation that did bring Emery some success last season, but one which somewhat fell apart following season-ending injuries to Rob Holding and Bellerin.
Again, Leno in between the sticks barring injury, plus Bellerin and Tierney as wing-backs.
And now for the exciting part. If Emery (assuming he's still head coach) is brave and bold then he could go with three young centre-backs on the opening day of the 2012/20 season.
This would leave a central defensive trio of Saliba, Holding and fellow youngster Konstantinos Mavropanos.
Back four predicted XI: Leno: Bellerin, Sokratis, Saliba, Tierney
Back three predicted XI: Leno; Saliba, Holding, Mavropanos; Bellerin ?,?, Tierney
