Arsenal are reportedly the front-runners to secure the services of 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
According to a report by Tutto Mercato Web, Arsenal could be the favourites to sign Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window. The 22-year-old Burkina Faso defender is closing in on signing for the Premier League heavyweights.
Tapsoba has recently completed his first full season with Bayer Leverkusen, having arrived at the Bundesliga club in January 2020 from Vitoria Guimaraes. In such a short span of time, though, the young defender has grown leaps and bounds, becoming a mainstay at the back for Die Werkself.
In 2020/21, the 22-year-old missed just one Bundesliga game when fit and available, making 39 appearances across all competitions while also chipping in with a couple of goals. His progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Arsenal among the clubs closely following him.
Arsenal are set to dip their toes in the transfer market for a centre-back this summer, with David Luiz set to exit the Emirates. The impending departure of the veteran Brazilian has created the need for a central defensive reinforcement, despite the fact that Mikel Arteta has a plethora of centre-backs at his disposal.
Indeed, the likes of Rob Holding, Pablo Mari and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been inconsistent this term, while Calum Chambers seems to have found a new calling as a right-back. With the future of William Saliba being far from certain, it is prudent that Arsenal make an effort to sign a central defender this summer.
To that end, the north Londoners have been linked with Jules Kounde. Closer to home, former Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo – currently with Fulham – has also been mentioned as a possible target. And, Tapsoba is a viable target as well, with the 22-year-old potentially providing a long-term solution at the heart of the Arsenal defence.
It now looks like Arsenal could be set to sign the youngster from Bayer Leverkusen, with Tutto Mercato Web claiming that the Premier League heavyweights are inching closer to securing his services. What remains to be seen, though, is how much the Bundesliga outfit demands in exchange for Tapsoba, and whether Arsenal will be willing to meet their valuation.
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