Arsenal appear to be prioritising the signing of a new centre back, with a move for Ben White seemingly leaving William Saliba considering his future.
The Gunners need to bolster a number of positions, with another goalkeeper, midfielder and striker potentially on the radar, as well as a right back.
Yet centre back seems to be the priority for Edu right now, and it looks like Brighton star White is the favourite to join.
Ben White move close
The Guardian report that White has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are allegedly prepared to pay £45million rising to £50million, marking a huge outlay for the Gunners as they look to improve their defence not just immediately, but also for years to come.
Saliba considering his options
If Arsenal splash out on a right-footed centre back this summer then questions will be asked about William Saliba, who has yet to play for the Gunners since signing from Saint-Etienne in 2019.
Saliba has spent time on loan at Saint-Etienne and Nice, but questions now surround his future with Mikel Arteta seemingly ready to bring in yet another expensive centre back.
Football.London now claim that Saliba is considering his future at Arsenal and may well be on the move if he doesn’t get the reassurance he’s seeking.
What about Taspoba to Arsenal?
If Saliba is interested in leaving – as much as we think Arsenal should give him a chance – then it may be smart to use him as a bargaining chip to land another target.
Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Arsenal’s top centre back target wasn’t actually White, but instead Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba.
Tapsoba is allegedly seen as ‘perfect’ at Arsenal, but they were put off by a €70million (£60million) asking price on the Burkina Faso star.
That meant Arsenal turned to White, who only appears to be £10million cheaper. If Arsenal still want Tapsoba, there may still be time to get him.
Kicker reported in May that Leverkusen would love to sign Saliba, and an exchange involving the Frenchman going to Germany and Tapsoba heading to Arsenal was suggested.
Swap deals are never easy, but if Saliba wants to leave, then throwing him into a bid for Tapsoba does make sense for Arsenal – especially if they do think he’s better than White.
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