Arsenal to complete £27m William Saliba transfer but Gunners still have £45m to spend

Arsenal are believed to be close to sealing a deal for defender Saliba.

The centre-back will join from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne but it’s believed he will return to the club on loan.

It comes with Emery given a reported £45million budget for this summer’s transfer window.

The manager was restricted to making loan signings in January with Arsenal trying to limit their spending.

But BBC report that Arsenal will pay for Saliba in instalments.

And it means that the reported £27m fee for the 18-year-old will not all leave the Emirates bank account this summer.

Arsenal have made just one signing so far this summer in the shape of young Brazilian striker Gabriel Martinelli.

But Gunners hero Nigel Winterburn is concerned at the current lack of transfer activity.

"I feel the Arsenal squad really needs a good shake-up," Winterburn said.

"Slightly worried about the situation with the amount of money available to spend, and depending on Unai Emery’s situation - whether he wants to go to a back four, if he does Tierney would be a good addition.

"He can also play wing-back so he gives you that option as well.

"Rather than looking at individual players, I’m interested to see who ends up at the club when pre-season comes around and what they can do.

"I feel the Arsenal squad really needs a good shake-up," Winterburn said.

"Slightly worried about the situation with the amount of money available to spend, and depending on Unai Emery’s situation - whether he wants to go to a back four, if he does Tierney would be a good addition.

"He can also play wing-back so he gives you that option as well.

"Rather than looking at individual players, I’m interested to see who ends up at the club when pre-season comes around and what they can do.