Tottenham have outbid Arsenal in their bid to sign St Etienne defender William Saliba - according to a report.
A deal between the Gunners and the Ligue 1 outfit had been agreed for €30million earlier this week but Spurs have jumped in and could cause a huge twist in the deal.
The young defender is due to 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.
It looked like Arsenal had won the race and they would seal the transfer by the beginning of next week but Tottenham have decided to make everyone think differently.
French outlet RMC report that St Etienne chiefs will meet on Saturday to discuss the offer made by Spurs.
It is believed it goes above and beyond the demands made by the French side and is more than the deal being offered by Arsenal.
It would be a major blow for Arsenal who 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.
Unai Emery's side are also wanting to sign Celtic defender Kieran Tierney, but they are yet to meet the asking price for the Hoops left back.
Celtic want £25m and Arsenal's first bid wasn't close enough for the Premiership champions to do a deal.
