Spurs target Tapsoba loves Stones and Van Dijk, but Arsenal hero is a role model

Fans of the north London side will be desperate for improvement next season after a poor campaign that saw them finish eighth.

Antonio Conte, Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason all took the hot seat at some point over the past year, and now it's Postecoglou's turn.

The defence is set to be a key area of improvement for Spurs this summer having conceded 63 Premier League goals.

Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba has been sounded out as an option, with the Daily Star reporting a deal is 'very close'.

At just 24 years old, the Burkina Faso international would prove to be a young yet still experienced addition to Spurs, and it's clear he has been keen to learn from some of the best in the business.

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Speaking to The Athletic in 2020, Tapsoba hailed one of Liverpool's finest players for his influence in their backline.

That man is Virgil van Dijk, who the Leverkusen star said is: "The best defender in the world, and someone I really look up to."

Despite being injury ridden towards the end of that year, there is no surprise the Reds star has been held in such high regard by Tapsoba.

He has proven to be a rock at the back throughout the majority of his five-and-a-half seasons at the club, but one rival defender appears to also be a source of inspiration.

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Whilst Tapsoba was approaching his professional career, John Stones was attracting the attention of the Premier League at Everton.

"I really enjoyed watching him, he made a huge impression on me," he added in the same interview.

"His manner on the ball, and the way he played with the ball. I loved that. I still go back to Stones when it comes to playing in a certain style."

This was backed up in a separate discussion on the Bundesliga website, with the England star now shining at Manchester City.

"When I started to grow older I liked Stones a lot too," he said on the recent treble winner.

"I watched all the videos on YouTube. I would say that's what inspired me. I also wanted to help my family, because they deserve it very much. They inspired me to work hard every single day."

A move to Spurs may be pending, but it seems as though a former star of their rivals Arsenal was a role model for a young Tapsoba.

Per Mertesacker amassed 221 appearances in seven seasons at the Gunners, and scored in their 2015 4-0 FA Cup win over Aston Villa.

However, it was his efforts at Werder Bremen that impressed Tapsoba: "I would say Mertesacker, from Germany, is a player that I liked a lot when I was younger."

After two-and-a-half seasons in the Bundesliga, a move to the Premier League would see Tapsoba make a big step in his career.

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Given Spurs' backline woes, there could certainly be even more pressure on the 24-year-old to make a positive impression if he joins.

However, should he continue to learn from Stones, Van Dijk and Mertesacker, then Tapsoba may just very well settle into life in the English top flight with ease like all three superstars.