Edmond Tapsoba: Major update on United’s pursuit of Leverkusen star | OneFootball

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Manchester United are preparing to welcome Carlos Baleba to Old Trafford this summer, but they remain in the market for further additions to the squad. The Red Devils have put all their focus on the midfield this summer to address Casemiro’s departure at the end of last season.

INEOS have already secured the services of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for this purpose. Recent reports suggest that Brighton & Hove Albion’s Baleba is also close to arriving at the Theatre of Dreams.

The trio will certainly improve United’s midfield, although the backline remains a concern. Harry Maguire is already in the final phase of his career, while Lisandro Martinez is out of contract next summer.

Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since December 2025 with a back injury, making Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven the only other senior centre-back options available to Carrick. Previous reports suggest that the English giants are already looking to address the situation by making a move for Bayer Leverkusen strongman Edmond Tapsoba.

One of Bundesliga’s finest defenders

Tapsoba arrived at the BayArena from Vitoria Guimaraes in 2020 and is now a rock at the back for the Bundesliga giants. Last season, the 27 year old registered five goals and three assists in 44 appearances across competitions for Leverkusen, all but one of which were starts.

Edmond Tapsoba Stats: 2025/26 Season

Fast, strong and composed at the back, Tapsoba is a modern ball-playing centre-back who is assured in the art of defending. There is a belief that the Burkina Faso international’s attributes are particularly suited to the rigours of the Premier League, making him an enticing option for United.

A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that the German club will demand at least €50 million for his signature, but insists that the player is not a priority for the Red Devils. However, a contrasting update has now emerged.

United leading Tapsoba race

According to TEAMtalk, United are among a number of clubs monitoring Tapsoba this summer. The report states: “Edmond Tapsoba has emerged as a leading defensive target for three Premier League clubs this summer, with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United all monitoring the Bayer Leverkusen centre-back closely, TEAMtalk understands.”

The report goes on to add that the Red Devils are leading the race for the Burkina Faso defender: “Sources indicate that United have already made contact with the player’s representatives to discuss a potential transfer.”

The report states that Bayer Leverkusen would prefer to keep hold of their prized asset but are open to the possibility of his departure. That, however, will only be possible for an offer of at least £42.8m, as previously relayed by The Peoples Person.

The report adds that further developments are expected in the final days of the transfer window, concluding: “With the transfer window still open, further developments are expected in the coming weeks.”

“United appear to be the most advanced in their discussions at present, yet competition from Tottenham and Newcastle means any deal is unlikely to be straightforward.”

Final Thoughts

United’s defending remains a cause for concern and Tapsoba could certainly be the solution to their woes. As such, the Red Devils should step up their efforts to secure his services before the window closes.

The Peoples Person Reliability Assessment Overall credibility: 5/10 Why?

✅ TPP has previously reported United’s interest in the player. ⚠️ Source is not particularly reliable for United news ⚠️ No official confirmation from club.