Manchester United Lead Race for Edmond Tapsoba
Manchester United have moved to the front of the queue for Edmond Tapsoba, edging ahead of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United in the battle for the Bayer Leverkusen defender.
The German outlet Fussball Daten revealed earlier this week that all three Premier League clubs had made contact with the centre-back’s camp to explore a deal. Tapsoba, 27, has grown into one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga, anchoring Leverkusen’s title-winning back line and attracting long-term interest from England.
Now, according to TEAMtalk, United’s talks with his representatives are the most advanced, putting them in pole position should Leverkusen agree to sell.
United push ahead in Tapsoba chase
TEAMtalk report that United, Spurs and Newcastle have all opened dialogue with Tapsoba’s entourage, but it is United who are currently “leading the race”. Leverkusen have placed a firm €50m (£42.8m / $58.4m) valuation on the Burkina Faso international and, despite extending his contract until 2031 earlier this year, are understood to be open to a “suitable financial offer”.
Leverkusen see him as a cornerstone of their side, yet the numbers on the table will dictate how long that stance holds. A fee in that region would reflect his status: a powerful, athletic defender who can step into midfield, build from the back and cover huge spaces without losing composure. Inside Germany, he is widely viewed as one of the most complete centre-backs in the division.
For United, that profile is no luxury. It is edging towards necessity.
Carrick’s defence under the microscope
INEOS are already working on a deal for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and are also in the market for a new left-back. Even so, the growing concern over Matthijs de Ligt’s long-term fitness means a fresh central defender is rapidly climbing the agenda for head coach Michael Carrick.
Harry Maguire’s situation only sharpens the focus. The 33-year-old could leave at the end of the season, and United risk heading into another campaign with an ageing, familiar back line that has already been heavily scrutinised.
A move for Tapsoba, a Bundesliga champion in his prime years, would send a different message entirely: that United are finally prepared to address their defensive core with a statement signing rather than short-term patches.
Right now, that message is not getting through to everyone.
“It’s a disgrace what they’ve done to Carrick”
Speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie O’Hara delivered a scathing assessment of United’s backing of Carrick in the transfer market.
“I think it’s a disgrace what they’ve done to Carrick,” he said. “They’ve brought him in. They’ve said, ‘We’re going to back you’. They gave him the opportunity. He’s done a fantastic job last season to get them back in the Champions League, and they’ve given him two players.
“Youri Tielemans is alright. Great signing. And Andrey Santos, who’s, you know… we’re not convinced that he’s even a decent player yet.
“Manchester United are miles off it, and we’re talking about them being in the Champions League.
“They’ve got the same back four they had maybe three or four years ago.
“Luke Shaw is going to have another season at left-back. Fair play to him. Harry Maguire at centre-back. Come on.
“Like, we’re talking about Manchester United. They’re meant to be trying to get back amongst it.”
That is the backdrop against which United are trying to prise Tapsoba from Leverkusen. If they land him, the narrative around their defensive rebuild changes overnight. If they hesitate and lose out again, the criticism will only get louder.
