Arsenal favourites for crazy Edmond Tapsoba transfer

Arsenal Can’t Afford Edmond Tapsoba

It’s been revealed that Tapsoba has no release clause in his contract, one that runs to no sooner than 2026 since he only joined the club in January 2020.

There is no beating around the bush in saying that he’s been exceptional for the Bundesliga side this season. Leverkusen can build from deeper since his arrival due to his exceptional composure and distribution under pressure on the ball, while they have also been able to utilise a higher backline as his athleticism and tackling strength against runners is superb. In other words, he’s very, very good.

And in other words, he’s very, very expensive. It’s stated that a club has to bid €60m just to even open talks. While this won’t be the end result as all selling teams will set their valuation high before being negotiated down, it will still require some outlay for Arsenal to secure their man. They’re classed as the ‘favourites’.

A right-footed centre-back, Tapsoba has spent much of the season fielded on the left side of a back three, although occasionally in a back four. He has that versatility and on Arsenal’s part if they can secure a centre-back with the capability of switching roles across the back, and there is little to suggest he couldn’t shift over to the right side on his favoured foot, then this is a strong profile to aim for.

Yet for the fees mentioned, it’d be crazy business. Arsenal have two younger central defenders who they should be moulding and nurturing into the side long-term, and in the hunt for another centre-back the primary focus should be on acquiring an experienced option ideally with Premier League minutes under their belt – someone challenging for a starting berth but not brushing those already there to one side. Not an easy find, admittedly.

If £55m fees are really what they’re after (and any such interest will be based on bargaining that fee down, of course) then attentions should be turned elsewhere. Even homegrown options like Fikayo Tomori and Ezri Konsa would cost less. They’re not the signings to go for but Arsenal are not blessed with funds and Tapsoba’s fee, along with the rumours of Jules Kounde, would constitute significant outlays.

Arsenal need depth in central defence but it has to be the right depth and splashing £50m (it just won’t happen) to come in and set either Saliba or Gabriel’s development back is the wrong decision.

Tapsoba is excellent and would raise the bar at Arsenal. That much is indisputable. It’s just crazy business at prices Arsenal can’t afford, thus hopefully Edu will be knocked down a peg with Leverkusen standing firm.