TBR View: Could Arsenal use 22-year-old in player-plus-cash deal to sign Tapsoba, after Romano claim?

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Fabrizio Romano’s phone is likely to be ringing off the hook througbout this summer’s window. One story he reported on Monday is that Bayer Leverkusen are working on a deal to sign Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah this summer. But that interest from Leverkusen might just help Arsenal.

Nketiah, 22, is in the final year of his contract at Arsenal. He is struggling for game time and many have suggested he probably needs to depart. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are preferred, while a new deal has arrived for Folarin Balogun. But Nketiah could stay.

That is because Romano reports that Arsenal have made the surprise decision to offer him a new contract this summer. That deal was tabled last week, and is yet to be signed. Romano also says that Bayer Leverkusen are working on a deal – with West Ham, Palace and Watford also interested.

Does Bayer wanting Nketiah help Arsenal get Tapsoba?

Well, Arsenal are on the lookout for a centre-back to replace the loss of David Luiz. One centre-back they are supposedly looking at is Leverkusen ace Edmond Tapsoba. According to Tuttomercatoweb, Arsenal are said to want a whopping £60million (BILD) for their 22-year-old.

No surprises. He has been excellent since joining the club from Portuguese outfit Vitoria, playing 61 times in 18 months for Leverkusen. Quick, powerful, dominant in the air and a leader at such a young age – he would be a very good replacement for Luiz. But his price tag is too expensive.

However, Arsenal can reduce that price by including a player and with Leverkusen keen on Nketiah – surely a deal can be struck. If Arsenal suggest a fee in the region of £35million and £40million as well as Nketiah – then it is a move that suits all parties and players, including Tapsoba.