According to a report from Gianluigi Longari on TuttoMercatoWeb, Arsenal are favourites to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
The Gunners will be on the market for a new defender following the departure of David Luiz. The Brazilian will not be given a new contract and he will be leaving the Emirates once his current deal expires at the end of next month.
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Mikel Arteta wants to bring in someone to replace Luiz and if a latest report is to be believed, Leverkusen’s Tapsoba is the man.
The 22-year-old has been a real star in the Bundesliga ever since he joined Die Werkself from Portuguese outfit Vitoria de Guimaraes on transfer deadline day in January last year.
He has made a name for himself as one of the best defenders in the division over the last 16 months, so much so, that the Bundesliga’s official website declared that he ‘plays a bit like’ nine-time German champion and World Cup winner Jerome Boateng.
The update from the Italian journalist claims that Arsenal are favourites to sign him but it’s too early for any deal to go through. We will know more in the coming weeks, but the one thing that’s certain is that the Gunners will have to break the bank to lure him away from Leverkusen.
Should Arsenal sign Edmond Tapsoba?
There are very few young defenders in world football who are on the same level as Tapsoba. The Burkina Faso international is a tremendous defender, who isn’t fazed when he comes up against the best players in the world.
As quoted by Bundesliga.com, ‘he is incredibly quick, composed on the ball, ridiculously strong and with a penchant for raking diagonals’ – all traits you’d use to describe Boateng.
Tapsoba is very comfortable with the ball at his feet as proved by his near 90% passing accuracy this season. (WhoScored) That is key in Arteta’s system, which is probably why he is on the Arsenal boss’ wish list.
His 6ft 4in frame, strength and speed make him a perfect fit for the Premier League, and if Arsenal can afford to get him, it’s a no-brainer for Arteta and Edu this summer.
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