Arsenal require ‘huge bid’ for ‘frightening’ Bundesliga star as Spurs join ‘absolutely open race’ | OneFootball

Arsenal and Spurs are both ‘tracking’ Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, but will require a ‘huge bid’ to sign him this summer.

A report in February claimed Arsenal were ‘keeping a close eye on’ the 24-year-old, whom they have been ‘long-term admirers’ of, ahead of a potential summer move.

The Gunners’ first reported interest in Tapsoba was over two years ago, shortly after the defender had made the £18m move from Vitoria Guimaraes to the Bundesliga side.

That same report claimed Tapsoba ‘admitted’ he was ‘happy’ at the supposed interest from Arsenal.

Back when Tapsoba was first linked with a move to the Emirates, his former coach at Vitoria backed him to become one of the world’s best defenders.

“I’m sure he will continue his development and become one of the greatest players in the world,” Ivo Vieira told Kicker, via Bulinews.

“He can end up where he wants to. At one of the world’s biggest clubs.”

The Bundesliga website sung the Burkina Faso international’s praises last year, calling him a ‘powerful and super-quick defender’ with ‘frightening heading abilities’.

And now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal remain interested and, along with Tottenham, have had scouts ‘monitoring recent games’.

Romano tweeted: ‘Premier League clubs are now tracking Edmond Tapsoba ahead of the summer transfer window — he’s one of the CBs to keep an eye on.

Arsenal and Tottenham scouts have monitored Tapsoba in recent games but the race is absolutely open — Bayer will only sell for huge bid.’

Tapsoba is valued by Transfermarkt at £28m, but reports suggest the ‘huge bid’ Leverkusen are after would be around the £60m mark, which seems reasonable seeing as he’s under contract until 2026.

Mikel Arteta is keen on adding some depth to his defence with the injury to William Saliba proving costly in their bid to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title this season.

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