Arsenal are edging closer to signing a centre-back ahead of the new season.

Mikel Arteta is seeking a replacement for David Luiz, who is leaving at the expiry of his contract.

And according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Arsenal are close to securing Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners are ready to sign the 22-year-old for a fee of around €18 million up front.

Tapsoba played against Arsenal twice for VitoriaGuimaraes in the 2019/2020 Europa League group stages.

Already capped 14 times by Burkina Faso, Tapsoba is a player who scouts believe has immense potential.

He joined Leverkusen from Vitoria in January 2020 for €18m.