Arsenal move for €50m star Edmond Tapsoba

Updated: 15 Jul 2022 18:11 BST
3 min read

Man Utd transfer target Tapsoba “not for sale” claims Leverkusen boss — © ProShots

Arsenal are preparing a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba, FootballTransfers has learned.

The Gunners have made the signing of a new centre-back one of their priorities for the rest of the summer transfer window.

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Their primary target has been Lisandro Martinez, but the Ajax centre-back is now on his way to Manchester United.

Arsenal have thus reignited their interest in Burkina Faso defender Tapsoba, who they unsuccessfully tried to sign last year.

Tapsoba is a giant centre back, standing at 6ft 4in, and fits Mikel Arteta’s profile of player at the age of of just 23.

Arsenal are still in the initial stages of preparing a bid, with Leverkusen valuing him at between €40-50 million.

Tapsoba joined Leverkusen in 2020 from Vitoria de Guimaraes for €18m plus €7m in add-ons so the German side have the chance of doubling their money.

The defender has made 67 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring two goals.

He has been capped 28 times by Burkina Faso.

How much have Arsenal spent on transfers so far this summer?

Arsenal have spent £85.2 million (€99m) on transfers so far this summer, giving Mikel Arteta the ammunition needed to launch another attack on the top four.

The Gunners narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season after seeing fourth spot snatched away from them by North London rivals Tottenham in the dying embers of the campaign.

Hard work in the heat 😅 pic.twitter.com/w9PEk6Ekwr
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 14, 2022

However, they’ve recovered and are ready to go again with a strengthened squad. Arsenal actually spent the most of any Premier League club last summer, bringing in the likes of Benjamin White, Aaron Ramsdale and Martin Odegaard, and they’ve started this window in similar fashion.

Matt Turner and Marquinhos have both arrived for small fees, while Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus have been the club’s big-money signings so far.