According to English journalist Steve Kay, Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen during the summer and this isn’t the first time they’ve been linked with the player.

The 24-year-old defender, who is a vital member of the German club, is valued at around  €60 million and is under contract until June 2026.

Tapsoba’s name has been “checked” by Arsenal, indicating that the Gunners are actively considering him as a potential target for next season.

With a fit squad this season, Arsenal are looking to add more quality to their ranks in order to compete at the highest level, including in European competitions.

Arsenal’s previous links with Tapsoba

July 2022 – Arsenal were reportedly planning to sign a new centre-back, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba on their radars.

The Gunners initially planned to sign Lisandro Martinez for cover at left-back and centre-back then moved to at Oleksandr Zinchenko instead.

At the time, Leverkusen reportedly valued Tapsoba between €40m and €50m.

The German club was looking to double their money compared to what they paid for him in 2020.

Arsenal previously made an unsuccessful bid for Tapsoba in the summer of 2021 when Leverkusen were asking for €60m.

Despite already having options like Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, and William Saliba for centre-back, Arsenal may be looking at strengthening further as they aim for qualification in the UEFA Champions League.

Who is Edmond Tapsoba?

Edmond Tapsoba currently plays as a centre-back for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. He was born on February 2, 1999, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Tapsoba began his footballing career in Burkina Faso, playing for clubs such as USFA and AS SONABEL before moving to Portugal to join Vitória Guimarães in 2018.

He quickly established himself as a key player for the team, making 47 appearances and scoring six goals over the course of two seasons.

In January 2020, Tapsoba joined Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of €18 million. He made an immediate impact in his first season, playing 14 matches and scoring two goals. His impressive performances earned him a place in the Bundesliga’s team of the week on multiple occasions.

Tapsoba is known for his strength, speed, and aerial ability, which make him a dominant presence in defence. He is also comfortable on the ball and has excellent passing skills, allowing him to initiate attacks from the back.

Tapsoba has represented Burkina Faso at the international level since 2019, making his debut in a friendly against Congo. He has since made 32 appearances for the team, including in the African Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

At just 24 years old, Tapsoba has already established himself as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.

His performances for Bayer Leverkusen have attracted interest from several top clubs, and he has been linked with a move to the English Premier League.

With his talent and potential, Tapsoba is sure to have a bright future ahead of him in the world of football.