Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the development of Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, as the search for reinforcements continues.
According to a report from the Express, Manchester United are scouting Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba after being pointed towards the 22-year-old by a well-respected football figure in Germany.
Tapsoba started out in his homeland in Burkina Faso before making his way to Europe in 2017 when he signed for Portuguese outfit Leixoes. Having spent only six months at the club, the defender was picked up by Vitoria Guimaraes in January 2018 and went on to make 32 first-team appearances.
Alerted by the potential shown by him, Bayer Leverkusen swooped in for Tapsoba in January last year, signing him in a deal worth £15.5 million which could rise to £21.5 million in add-ons. Since arriving in Germany, the 22-year-old has grown into one of the most exciting young defenders in the Bundesliga.
And, Manchester United have now taken a note of the 12-time capped Burkina Faso international, after they were alerted to his development by an unnamed well-respected figure in Germany.
It is no secret that the Red Devils are in the market for a new centre-back, preferably a left-footed one as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks for the ideal partner for Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof has not always been convincing during his time at Old Trafford while Eric Bailly has often succumbed to injuries, making him an unreliable option.
With Maguire himself suffering from bouts of inconsistency every now and then, it is important for Manchester United to add another centre-back in the summer as they look to bridge the gap to neighbours Manchester City and bring an end to their trophy drought.
This has seen Manchester United get linked with the likes of Real Madrid star Raphael Varane, a player who is also wanted by Liverpool while Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan has also been mentioned as a target for the 20-time English champions.
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Now, it seems like Tapsoba, too, has emerged on the radars of Manchester United. The 22-year-old has earned plaudits for the maturity he has shown this early in his career while his ball-playing abilities have also managed to catch the eye of the onlookers.
Tapsoba’s previous contract was believed to have a release clause of £44 million and Leverkusen will not entertain any offers below that figure for the 22-year-old after having tied him down to a new long-term deal till the summer of 2026. It remains to be seen if Manchester United’s reported interest in the young defender leads to a formal approach come summer.
