Arsenal are “preparing a move” for Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari.

The Italian reporter revealed that the Gunners were interested in Raphinha all the way back in February so he is a reliable source and he claims a bid for the “giant centre-back” is in the works:

🚨 #Arsenal are preparing a move for Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond #Tapsoba. @Transfersdotcom ⬇️ #AFC https://t.co/qfyc1T8VVx

— Gianluigi Longari (@Glongari) July 15, 2022

Longari reports that Tapsoba is being lined up as an alternative to Lisandro Martinez, who is now expected to sign for Manchester United instead.

Many had assumed that Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko was Martinez’s backup option, due to the fact that both of them can play left-back. However, the Gunners have also been pursuing a left-sided centre-back since January.

David Ornstein has claimed that Mikel Arteta’s side failed in their attempts to recruit Freiburg’s Nico Schlotterbeck earlier this year and they have subsequently been looking at other potential targets.

It seems Tapsoba is the man they have identified as the number one priority. Leverkusen are expected to hold out for a fee between €40m (£34m) and €50m (£42m) to sell the defender this summer.