Arsenal have been making a very public pursuit for England and Brighton defender Ben White in recent weeks.
The Gunners have already had a bid rejected worth £40million, with Brighton said to be looking for more than £50million for the 23-year-old.
Arsenal were thought to be willing to do everything to sign White, but it appears Brighton’s demands may be becoming too excessive and Arsenal will target other options if this is the case.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano on Twitch on Sunday night, Arsenal are still trying to close a deal to sign White, but the price is currently the stumbling block. Fabrizio then said that Arsenal will target Edmond Tapsoba if they are unsuccessful in a move for White.
22-year-old Tapsoba is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe and Arsenal would have to pay a similar fee to what is being described for White, if they were to sign him.
Tapsoba obviously wouldn’t be homegrown or come with Premier League experience, but he would bring a lot of what White can offer, in terms of on-the-ball ability, age and confidence.
Arsenal’s interest in Tapsoba as an option has been widely reported, back in May The Atheltic said that Arsenal had serious interest in bringing the Burkino Faso international to the club.
With William Saliba now set to leave on loan, Arsenal look certain to make a major defensive signing this summer, with White and Tapsoba the leading candidates.