According to Gianluigi Longari, Arsenal are preparing a move for Bayer Leverkusen colossus Edmond Tapsoba, who is also a target for West Ham.
What’s the story?
Well, writing for Football Transfers, Longari believes the Gunners have now turned their attention to the Burkina Faso international after losing out on Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United.
A £30m deal has also been agreed with Manchester City for the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is set to provide an injection of quality at left-back, as well as in the centre of midfield.
However, the Ukraine international could now be closely followed by Tapsoba, after Mikel Arteta reignited his interest in the 23-year-old he tried to sign last year, according to Longari.
Bayer Leverkusen value their No.12 at a sum in the region of €40m – €50m (£34m – £43m).
Longari adds that Arsenal are now in the process of preparing an opening offer for Tapsoba, who joined the Bundesliga side from Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2020 for a total package of €25m (£21m).
Interest in the Ouagadougou-born defender comes after he made 29 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring one goal.
As aforesaid, West Ham are also considering a move to sign the defender, who has been described as “dangerous” in the opposition penalty box by Simon Rolfes – Director of Football at Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal may need West Ham target to replace Gabriel Magalhães
In our view, Arsenal may be exploring a move for Tapsoba to prepare for life after Gabriel Magalhães.
According to the Independent, Juventus are keen to sign the Brazilian, who Arsenal value at £50m – a similar price to what Bayer Leverkusen want for Tapsoba.
Gabriel is supposedly open to joining the Italian giants, so the prospect of him leaving the Emirates Stadium could explain why Arteta and Edu are paying close attention to Tapsoba.
Only time will tell what happens, but the timing of these stories involving Gabriel and Tapsoba is certainly interesting, to say the least.
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