Arsenal is keen to sign Ben White this summer, however, the Gunners also know that there is no guarantee that they will succeed in their pursuit.
They have now identified an alternative for the Englishman.
Todofichajes says they have made a move for Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen as they struggle to complete the transfer of White.
The report says White is now close to sealing a switch to Everton and that has forced Arsenal to speed up their interest in Tapsoba.
He only joined Leverkusen from Vitoria Guimaraes last year, but his stock has grown so much that the likes of RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich are keen to sign him.
The report says the Gunners have opened talks with his current club already and they are hopeful of completing the transfer in the coming days.
Because he has a long-term contract with them until 2026, Arsenal knows he would cost a decent amount of money and the report claims they have been told to pay €40M.
That is less than they had expected to pay for White, but Tapsoba isn’t as highly-regarded as the Englishman.
Signing a new centre-back is a priority for Arsenal and they would want to complete the signing of one soon.
Glad to see such a strong determination to spend our precious resources on a CB still. Arteta only brought in 3 since his arrival.
If only we had a young talented French or Greek CB someone could coach up we could save money.
While we circle White and Tapsoba, our woeful midfield should be addressed first (2 players needed) then Bellerin upgrade.
After that, feel free to go CB shopping if Kronke’s money is burning a hole in Arteta’s pocket.
The £50 million for White could have signed Sanches or Bissouma by now, if midfield was a bigger priority.
Besides if £50 million for White is excessive, what about £40 million for Ramsdale?
Club should walk away from both, we’re getting mugged. But hey, why coach up club’s young talent when you can just buy players like Pep.
Guess we buy stars now with Arteta, since he isn’t as interested in making them.
40 million Euro will not land Tapsoda. There is another report that Arsenal bid 60 million Euros (51.4 million pounds) 2 weeks ago and were turned down. 70 million Euros or so is the approximate price.
The Euros have been enlightening in some respects and shown up the dearth of top quality centre backs as far as I am concerned.The much heralded French defenders did not impress me at all and indeed the best centre backs in the tournament this far have been Leonardo Bonucci and Simon Kjaer of Denmark aged 34 and 32 respectively.As for Stones and Maguire they have yet to be tested fully but the ease with which Germany created two clear chances through the middle is a concern.Walker has covering pace but he himself loses concentration and is error prone.Ben White is a good young player but we need to prioritize strengthening our midfield before we spend another penny on defenders.
Correction, 2 CB’s, shopping for a 3rd with 4 1/2 already on our shelves, Chambers as the 1/2.
Typical typical arsenal. Does that sound familiar to you? Oh! Yes it does. Get linked with the right player and settle for an alternative. Is this craftiness or being smart? We are tired of this tactics. We end up with a Mustafi like scenario
We spend £27million for William Saliba don’t even give him a game send him out on loan where he was excellent, send him our again on loan again he performed well, then he comes back to Arsenal hoping to play this coming season only to be sent out yet again on another loan. Meanwhile we spend another load of money to bring another CB. Crazy mis management or what.!!!
As others have stated above, Arsenal had two alternatives to Ben White in Mavropanos (on loan with obligation to buy) and Saliba (going on loan no option to buy). In the “judgement” of the “management” at Arsenal neither is ready to compete for a first team place.
In the mean time procrastination and inaction continues in the needed upgrade to midfield. There are a plethora of midfield players available at fair prices, as identified by many on JA, yet no signing with preseason training to start.
The defense improved towards the latter part of the season; however to the detriment of Arsenal’s attack. A deeplying playmaker/DM is required to allow Thomas Partey to fulfil his potential as a box to box midfielder. This will improve the defense as well as the transition from defense to attack.
An ACM is required to take the pressure off ESR and avoid him being played into the ground. Also the supply to Arsenal’s forward line would improve, to increase the goal output of Aubameyang, Saka, Lacazette, Pepe, Martinelli and Balogun. This forward line is excellent on paper, but was starved of service last season.
Spot on Ozzie.
What must AMN do to deserve a chance to play as the DM at Arsenal? Or why not try Calum Chambers there? Maybe these two don’t spray balls around the field truly as Xhaka does. But, they sure can protect the defence without breaking a sweat with their better mobility and defensive discipline compared to Xhaka.
With Martinelli, Nketiah and Balogun to play the CF role, Laca can be deployed in the hole to play as the link-up between the midfield and attack, whenever ESR needs a breather.
It may sound ridiculous, but with good close control of the ball and the rapid burst of speed, Pepe can be tried in the hole too. It won’t be the first time that a player ups his game in an unfamiliar role, especially at Arsenal, where our greatest ever PL player was a LW before transformed into a ST.
Solutions can be found within the squad with some deep probing. But, will that ever happen at Arsenal?
If true it would make the Saliba Mavros decision even more incomprehensible spending 40 50M in a young CB with no PL experience who will need time to settle in England and at the club i am lost for words.
MA and Edu continue to confuse more and more day by day. Why a CB when we have 5 already, did not allow Saliba and Mavro to stay and going in for a non PL CB for such a huge price, when we desperately need a CAM, DM and a GK.
I agree 💯
Keep telling you we or not signing anyone who as a name we can’t sign Ben white because he is too much money we need to sell before we buy The club is saying we or in for him and him but just like normal we will get the scraps wot nobody wants
Only few months ago the Kroenkes made their intention to heavily invest in the squad public what happened to that?
We will not know if they have or have not until the end of the transfer window. Only at this point will it be clear what has been invested. Whether it will be invested wisely is another story. The 50 million banded about for this player or that player is just hype with very little foundation at all.
Fans keep saying ..why another CB when we have more pressing needs. The ball playing and carrying aspect, you already know why another one but you do not agree with him. Building play ..same reason we lost Martinez, likely, who is now excellent in goal. I wonder if Arteta can admit to that mistake or if he feels he is still someone ( Emi) that doesn’t fit his criteria.