According to reports, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Manchester United have all been given the opportunity to recruit Bayer Leverkusen center-back Edmond Tapsoba.
Prior to competing on four fronts next season, including an Old Trafford club return to the Champions League, the Red Devils are reportedly searching for recruits to strengthen their defensive lines.
In January 2020, Tapsoba transferred from the Portuguese club Vitoria de Guimaraes to Leverkusen. Since then, he has made 137 appearances for the Bundesliga team, helping them to a sixth-place finish this season, ensuring Europa League eligibility.
The 24-year-old and Xabi Alonso’s team came close to winning on the European stage, but Leverkusen were unable to participate in their first European final since the 2001–02 campaign due to a Europa League semi-final loss to Roma.
The Manchester Evening News stated that Manchester United had apparently made an offer for Tapsoba, who might end up hearing the Champions League song all season long.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly looking for defensive reinforcements amid rumors over the club captain Harry Maguire’s future. The England international is said to be a likely departure as he seeks regular playing time.
According to the source, Tapsoba has also been made available to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool during current transfer window. However, the Merseyside club is reportedly at a disadvantage because they can only offer the player Europa League football.
The Burkina Faso international is reportedly in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a prospective move to North London, and Ange Postecoglou’s team is reportedly concerned about other Premier League clubs’ interest in the player.
After a challenging second half of the season in which Antonio Conte abruptly resigned as manager, Spurs ended eighth in the Premier League, only one point off of the top seven after 38 games.
The advisors of Tapsoba are reportedly eager to generate interest in their client, with St James’ Park being mentioned as a potential destination for the defender as the Magpies make their first foray into European football in 20 years.
Sandro Tonali of AC Milan has reportedly been the subject of a bid from Newcastle, who are supported by Saudi Arabia, in an effort to entice the Italian midfielder away from the San Siro as they gear up for their return to UEFA’s premier club competition.
Sven Botman and Fabian Schar, a center-back duo, performed admirably for Howe’s team last season; only Premier League champions Manchester City could match their record of only allowing 33 goals in 38 games.
Tapsoba is a candidate to help fill out a relatively small Magpies roster, but the North East club has seen the need to further boost their team ahead of at least six matches in the Champions League next season.
