Arsenal are sending scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking on his Youtube channel, Romano said the Burkina Faso international is being monitored, along with RB Leipzig’s Mohamed Simaken.

Tapsoba was linked with the Gunners last summer and it does appear as if they have kept an eye on the centre-back over the past twelve months.

Leverkusen were said to be holding out for around €50m (£43m) so whether that asking price has gone up or down in the intervening period, we shall have to wait and see.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is said to be keen on recruiting a new centre-back, with the club needing to find an upgrade on Rob Holding who struggled to produce the level of performances required after William Saliba was sidelined with a back injury.

Who is Edmond Tapsoba?

The 24-year-old left Burkina Faso as a teenager and moved to Portugal, where he played for Leixoes at youth level. His talent was identified by Vitoria Guimaraes and he made the switch to the Primeira Liga club in January 2018.

After making his senior debut for Vitoria, he went on to make 32 first-team appearances before Leverkusen paid around €18m for the defender in 2020. He has spent the last three and a half years in Germany.