ARSENAL are reportedly in negotiations to prise highly-rated centre-back Edmond Tapsoba away from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
The 22-year-old has been earning rave reviews in the Bundesliga since joining the German side from from Portuguese outfit Vitoria in January 2020.
Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the Burkina Faso international having scouted him this season.
And according to Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, Arsenal have joined the race to sign the defender.
He has claimed that the player is at the top of Mikel Arteta’s wishlist as he looks to bolster his backline.
Despite William Saliba and Konstantinos Mavropanos being set to return from their loan spell, David Luiz will be leaving when his contract expires at the end of June.
Longari even claimed that the North London side are in pole position to secure Tapsoba’s services.
Arsenal’s interest in Tapsoba has been confirmed by Sport1’s chief reporter Patrick Berger.
He stated that Leverkusen will not accept any offer less than £52million as a number of Premier League clubs look to land him.
Berger tweeted: “Several UK clubs are interested in Edmond Tapsoba (also #AFC).
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“The 22-year-old has NO release clause in his contract until 2026.
“Bayer Leverkusen normally don’t want to sell the centre-back this summer as he is one of the key players. A club has to bid €60m (£52m) to open talks.”
As well as Tapsoba, Arsenal have also been linked with Lyon playmaker Houssem Aouar, who could be available for just £25million.
And they remain keen on luring Norwich’s Emiliani Buendia to the Emirates along with Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
