Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast, Fabrizio Romano has shared an update on Arsenal and their reported interest in Edmond Tapsoba.
The Gunners have been credited with an interest in Tapsoba in recent weeks, and it was even reported that a deal to bring him to the Emirates was close at one point.
However, Romano believes that a deal to bring Tapsoba to north London isn’t nearing completion as he says the €70m (£60m) price tag slapped on him is a big problem.
What’s been said?
Romano says that Arenal believe Tapsoba would be perfect for them, but he claims that the price tag is a big issue in terms of making this transfer happen.
“Talking about centre-backs, Arsenal also want to sign a centre-back and Tapsoba is really, really highly appreciated, they think he would be perfect, the big problem is the price, because, he is a fantastic centre-back, but the price is more than €70m, and at the moment Bayer Leverkusen have no interest in selling the player, they want to keep him and you know that with German clubs, as we’ve seen with Sancho and Havertz, you have to pay or they will stay,” Romano said.
Expensive
£60m is a lot of money for a man who has only ever played 45 games in the Bundesliga.
Tapsoba does look to be a talented player, and Arsenal are clearly sold on him, with Romano claiming that they think he will be perfect, but that is a hefty price tag to say the least.
Arsenal certainly need a new defender after David Luiz’s departure, but at £60m, it’s hard to see the Gunners landing the Burkina Faso international this summer.
However, you can never say never, Arsenal often have an unexpected transfer up their sleeve, and Tapsoba could be one that they manage to push through despite the odds being against them.
This looks to be a situation to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
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