Arsenal likely to go after Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba if Gabriel Magalhaes leaves

Arsenal are likely to go after Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba if Gabriel Magalhaes leaves the club this summer, according to the Daily Express.

The Brazilian is being lined up for a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, but the Gunners currently have no plans to sell him.

Gabriel was left out of the starting XI that faced Nottingham Forest in Arsenal’s Premier League opener of the new season on Saturday, with manager Mikel Arteta preferring Ben White and William Saliba as his centre-back pairing.

Gabriel came on in the 86th minute to replace Gabriel Martinelli but could return to the starting line-up when Arsenal face Crystal Palace on Monday, with the injury Jurrien Timber sustained likely to force Arteta to ring changes that would see the Brazilian return to the XI.

If that fails to happen and it becomes clear that he is no longer guaranteed a starting berth, the 25-year-old could push for an exit, and the Gunners have Tapsoba on their shortlist should there be a need to sign a new centre-back.

The 24-year-old Burkina Faso international has been described by the Bundesliga official website as a “powerful and super quick defender who boasts frightening heading abilities”.

Tapsoba also brings speed, strength, top passing ability and excellent composure to the table, and Arsenal could do with those qualities.

The 6ft 4in defender is also on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United and could be playing in the Premier League sooner or later.

Tapsoba is under contract at Leverkusen until 2024 and could be available for an affordable fee this summer, giving the Gunners a realistic chance of landing him if they are forced to go into the transfer market.