Arsenal ready move for Turkey international who had bust up with West Ham star

West Ham v Chelsea

Arsenal are preparing a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s star defender Omer Toprak according to SkySports.

The report states that the Gunners are readying alternatives for Shkodran Mustafi, who remains Arsene Wenger’s primary target. However, the Gunners are yet to strike a deal with Valencia for the Germany international after weeks of negotiations.

Toprak would be up against West Ham’s summer signing Gokhan Tore if he were to join Arsenal. The two players have history dating back to 2014 when Tore was reported to have had a fight with a friend of Toprak – while a friend of the Hammers winger held a gun to both Bayer players (Toprak and Hakan Calhanoglu) – all whilst inside a hotel room after international duty.

The trio have since patched up their difference but Toprak has yet to return to the national team fold reportedly as a result of the incident.

Toprak has made 171 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen in all competitions since joining from Freiburg and has years of Champions League and international experience behind him.

See More: How a love story and a firearm incident tore the Turkey team apart