Arsenal are interested in Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba, but any deal is likely to really test the club’s finances.

On Tuesday afternoon, Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari reported that Arsenal were in talks for Bayer Leverkusen’s 22-year-old centre-back Edmond Tapsoba. Longari added that Tapsoba is top of the Gunners’ shortlist and they’re leading the race for him.

Later that night, Patrick Berger of Sport1 confirmed that several UK clubs are interested in Tapsoba, including Arsenal. However, he added that the defender doesn’t have a release clause with his current club.

Tapsoba only recently signed a new deal in Germany, lasting until 2026. Berger claims Bayer Leverkusen aren’t planning to sell him this summer, as he’s one of their key players. A buying club would have to bid as much as €60m to open talks.

Realistically, that makes a deal very unlikely. If Arsenal are going to spend €60m on a player, it’s going to be their marquee signing for the summer, and you’d think they’d want to make that signing in midfield, not at centre-back.

There’s no doubt that Tapsoba is a very talented defender, Arsenal saw that first hand when he played against them for Vitoria in the 2019/20 Europa League. But it’s looking like a tricky transfer in this window.