According to Rudy Galetti, Arsenal have set sights on Edmond Tapsoba. The Bayer Leverkusen centre-back is being courted as a potential alternative for top target Ben White. It appears that the Gunners are finding it increasingly difficult to make a deal with Brighton for their star defender, thus shifting their attention to Tapsoba.
Edmond Tapsoba: A Star In The Making?
Edmond Tapsoba has been one of the top finds in the Bundesliga over the past couple of years. He joined Leverkusen in January 2020, for a fee of €18 million, which has proved to be a bargain for Die Werkself.
To date, the centre-back has notched up 61 competitive appearances for Leverkusen, becoming a defensive stalwart for the German outfit. Tapsoba ended the 2020/21 campaign as one of the league’s performers, building a formidable partnership alongside Sven Bender and helping Leverkusen secure the Europa League spot.
Standing at 1.94m, Tapsoba’s towering figure has helped him thrive in physical and aerial duels in the Bundesliga. He is also very useful in possession, as he can remain composed when he facing intense pressure from the opposition.
The former Vitoria Guimaraes starlet is known for his pace as well, allowing him to cover a lot of ground if caught on a break. It combines well with Tapsoba’s imposing presence, making him a well-rounded centre-back.
A Wise Option For Arsenal?
Arsenal are on the hunt for new centre-backs this summer as they prepare for life without David Luiz. The current defensive trifecta of Pablo Mari, Gabriel Magalhaes and Rob Holding has done well on certain occasions but lacked consistency.
They have also appeared overwhelmed, at times, and that is where the club can use the imposing presence of someone like Edmond Tapsoba. His towering figure and the physical prowess he commands could be an ideal asset for the Premier League side.
However, what makes the Leverkusen centre-half such an appealing target for Arsenal is his ability to play the ball out from the back. He can offer variety with his passes and is not afraid to keep possession when under intense pressure. It bodes well for Arteta’s team, which has often played patient football, with the build-up play starting from the goalkeeper.
That being said, Tapsoba is more than likely to cost a fortune for Arsenal. His current deal at Leverkusen expires in 2026, giving Die Werkself the leverage to demand higher fees for the centre-back. In fact, it won’t be surprising to see the Burkina Faso international emerging as a more expensive option than White this summer, thus making him a risky target for the Gunners.
