Fabrizio Romano confirms Arsenal and Tottenham interested in signing 'the next Jerome Boateng'

Arsenal and Tottenham are interested in signing 'the next Jerome Boateng', according to reports.

The Gunners are thought to be in the market for a new defender this summer, after encountering a stumbling block at the back this season.

First-choice centre-back William Saliba picked up a back injury during Arsenal's Europe League match against Sporting Lisbon in March, forcing Mikel Arteta to delve into his reserves for solutions.

Rob Holding was called upon but struggled to replicate the Frenchman's form, before new signing Jakub Kiwior was drawn in as emergency cover.

In turn, the Gunners boss is eager to avoid a similar situation in future, with a new defender a priority this summer.

Meanwhile, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano have confirmed that north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are tracking Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba.

Romano tweeted: "Arsenal and Tottenham scouts have monitored Tapsoba in recent games but the race is absolutely open - Bayer will only sell for huge bid."

Who is Tapsoba?

Born in the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadougou, 23-year-old Tapsoba started his footballing career in the Portuguese division with Vitoria Guimaraes before making the switch to Leverkusen in 2020.

He has become a fan favourite at the German club, regularly showcasing his "incredible composure, speed, strength and exceptional passing ability", according to the Bundesliga website.

While he has been compared to former Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng, who was known for his ability to pick out passes from the back.

But he's not just known for his intelligence on the field. Tapsoba can also can also speak six languages including English, Portuguese, French, German, Spanish, and a local dialect of Burkina Faso.

Speaking on his temperament, the defender told the Bundesliga: "I'm basically always very calm and don’t talk much.

"I have my emotions under control in critical situations. If I’m annoyed I prefer to be quiet. For me it’s better to discuss problems after the event.

"I always want to stay calm on the pitch. I never actually get overexcited or wound up," he added.

As a result of his terrific form last season, Tapsoba was nominated for the 2022 African Player of the Year award, with the buzz around him seemingly growing by the day.