According to ‘Sky Sources‘, which now appear to just be David Ornstein via Twitter, Arsenal are looking at Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak should our potential move for Shkodran Mustafi fall through.

The 27-year-old Turkey international signed for Bayer Leverkusen back in 2011 so it’s plausible that he could want a change. However, in the Bundesliga, Toprak is a regular starter. In fact, it’s rare for him to get any less than a full game under his belt. Would he be guaranteed the same at Arsenal? Quite possibly at first but his weakness in the air and habit of committing fouls could make him a liability. We need someone a little stronger long term.

Like with Simon Kjaer, of course it’s possible that we’ve lined him up should the Mustafi deal (if there is one) fall through. But what’s more likely is that we’re applying pressure by making it appear as if Mustafi isn’t our only option.

Of course, I could completely wrong and the link could be completely fabricated by the media.