Mikel Arteta reportedly targets Leverkusen stars Tapsoba and Diaby, while Granit Xhaka’s future at the club looks uncertain.
- Mikel Arteta is reportedly interested in Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and Moussa Diaby.
- The North London club may be ready to invest up to £100 million to secure these key talents according to a report.
- Meanwhile, Granit Xhaka’s future at Arsenal is uncertain, with a potential move to Bayer Leverkusen rumoured.
- Xhaka’s wife is reportedly keen on returning to Germany, and Leverkusen’s director Simon Rolfes has indicated that the club is looking at potential improvements to the team.
In a bid to bolster his squad, Mikel Arteta reportedly has his eyes set on two key performers from Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, as per Football London.
The duo in question are the robust centre-back Edmond Tapsoba and the attacking prodigy Moussa Diaby.
Arteta, since his appointment, has shown a penchant for young, dynamic talent, and both Tapsoba and Diaby certainly fit the bill.
Tapsoba, 24, hailing from Burkina Faso, is known for his composure and potential. With a contract extending to the summer of 2026, he’s been a rock at the back for Leverkusen, also notching up two goals and an assist this season.
Diaby, 23, provides that extra punch up front. The French attacker, under contract till 2025, has displayed his immense dribbling and passing skills this season, contributing 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances.
in action during the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal second leg match between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Stade Joseph Marien on April 20, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
While the reported sum of £100 million for both players is significant, it seems the North London club are prepared to invest to sustain their competitiveness. Both these additions could provide the ‘Gunners’ with a substantial boost in quality, enhancing their defence and attack alike.
However, the story does not end here.
In an interesting twist, there is a strong buzz around Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka potentially moving in the opposite direction. Xhaka’s wife is keen to return to Germany, and the German club’s director, Simon Rolfes, while not confirming, did not deny the potential move either.
He stated, “We are looking at the market to see what possibilities there are to improve our team,” hinting at a potential overhaul this summer.
A deal could be on the cards, with Arsenal reportedly open to a sale at around €15m (£13m). If true, this could make the prospect of landing Xhaka more feasible for Leverkusen.