Tottenham are ready to rival Arsenal for Edmond Tapsoba as the two north London clubs continue their search for a top central defender.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham are monitoring Edmond Tapsoba and could rival Arsenal for the centre-back in the summer window. Both clubs are looking for a defender and may battle it out for the 24-year-old defender, who has had a good season with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.
Packing another terrific season for Bayer Leverkusen, Edmond Tapsoba may have reached the end of his time at the Bundesliga side. The 24-year-old may seek a move to a bigger club and begins a new phase in his career.
He has taken up different roles in the backline under manager Xabi Alonso, which will have helped him take his game to a new level. Tapsoba can play on either side of the central defence, which makes him a handy option for top clubs chasing his signature.
Arsenal are linked with a move for the 24-year-old Bundesliga defender. The Gunners continue keeping constant tabs on his situation. Tapsoba will have three years remaining in his contract at Leverkusen, meaning they will seek a sizeable fee for the 24-year-old defender.
Premier League clubs are now tracking Edmond Tapsoba ahead of the summer transfer window — he’s one of the CBs to keep an eye on 🔴 #transfers
Arsenal and Tottenham scouts have monitored Tapsoba in recent games but the race is absolutely open — Bayer will only sell for huge bid. pic.twitter.com/sRFtFzSYDQ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 24, 2023
Arsenal also hold an interest in Moussa Diaby, Tapsoba’s club teammate. And many previous stories suggest they could make a double raid on Bayer Leverkusen. While Mikel Arteta wants a new winger, he also considers signing a new centre-back important.
Tapsoba is primarily right-footed, something Arteta needs to improve in his squad beyond William Saliba. There’s also the case of the Frenchman signing a new contract. Arsenal want a new right-sided centre-back, with the 24-year-old Bundesliga defender featuring on their shortlist.
Meanwhile, according to Fabrizio Romano, Tottenham could join Arsenal in the chase for Tapsoba. The north Londoner side are desperate to make changes in the background and bring players that improve their current squad.
Defensive reinforcements are necessary in the summer, with the centre-back sought for over six months. Tapsoba offers a solid physical foundation at the back and helps progress the ball better than any of their current defenders.
The 24-year-old Bundesliga defender is not the only player they are keen on, with Wolves’ Max Kilman also a target ahead of the summer window. Tottenham may achieve Conference League football if they win on the season’s last day.
Competing with Arsenal for Tapsoba, they will encounter problems as the Gunners will play Champions League next season. For now, these are the club chasing the 24-year-old Bundesliga defender, who could have more teams if Leverkusen opens their doors for sale.
Tapsoba has all the attributes to excel in the Premier League but may look to join a Champions League club above everything else. Hence, Arsenal may have the upper hand in the chase, but that must wait until the transfer window opens on June 14.
