Roland Cutinho
Manchester United keen to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Edmond Tapsoba to fill the defensive void
As Harry Maguire’s departure seems imminent, Manchester United are now entering the race to sign Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
The Red Devils have reached a preliminary agreement with West Ham United for the transfer of Maguire.
The English star has recently been a prime target for David Moyes, and it appears likely that the Hammer’s manager will successfully secure the player.
Given that Maguire was stripped of the United captaincy this summer and wouldn’t have a significant role in Erik ten Hag’s plans for the season, his move was a necessary step for regular playing time.
However, the experienced player’s expected departure creates a void in United’s defence, requiring them to seek another centre-back to fill the gap.
Recently, there has been significant speculation about Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo’s potential move.
However, another player’s name has emerged as a possibility. According to the Manchester Evening News, Man United are now in pursuit of a centre-back to fill the void left by Maguire’s departure.
The report indicates that Jonny Evans, who returned to United on a short-term contract this summer, is not seen as an adequate replacement.
Instead, United might explore options in the Bundesliga with the intention of securing Bayer Leverkusen defender Tapsoba.
The English giants have expressed a strong interest in the solid defender, potentially marking him as a prominent target.
Although the 24-year-old’s contract was initially set to expire in 2024, he extended it until 2026 in December 2020. This suggests that United might need to make a substantial effort to secure the player’s services.
Tapsoba originates from Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, and started his football journey with local clubs Salitas and US Ouagadougou. In 2017, Portuguese team Leixoes signed him, followed by a move to Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2018.
Initially starting in their B team, the African star’s remarkable performance of eight goals in 32 appearances earned him a transfer to Germany’s Leverkusen.
After appearing in 137 matches for the Bundesliga giants, he has established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders.
Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, Tapsoba possesses both defensive prowess and the ability to initiate plays from the back.
Tottenham Hotspur had shown interest in the defender this summer, but they have opted to sign Micky van de Ven instead.
This could potentially create an opportunity for Man United to make a move for the young centre-back. He could be a strong competitor for Raphael Varane in Ten Hag’s defensive lineup.
As far back as 2021, United had expressed interest in Tapsoba as a potential partner for Maguire. Fast forward two years and the player is now being considered a substitute for Maguire.
His playing style aligns well with Ten Hag’s preferences, and while it may be difficult to reach an agreement with Leverkuson, it would be worth a try.
This move would contribute greatly to the manager’s efforts to imprint his influence on the squad. In turn, we could have a quality backup option that can also be used as an understudy for Varane.
More Manchester United News
- Atletico Madrid could line up bid for Manchester United target Sofyan Amrabat
- Al Nassr linked with a move for Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly
- Everton midfielder Amadou Onana on Manchester United radar
It will be interesting to see what the Red Devil’s next steps are in their plans to sign a new centre-back. We expect a busy transfer window for Man United in the upcoming weeks.
