Tottenham could lodge a €45 million offer excluding add-ons for priority defensive target Edmond Tapsoba; Bayer Leverkusen want way more than that.
According to Patrick Berger, Tottenham could offer €45 million plus add-ons to tempt Bayer Leverkusen for Edmond Tapsoba. The Bundesliga side are keen to demand more than the supposed sum, which could complicate any potential transfer.
Tottenham are set for the busiest schedule of their transfer window so far. Ange Postecoglou has seen mixed results from his team during the pre-season and knows his side must do ample business in the market to strengthen the squad.
Despite Spurs not participating in any European competition next season, Postecoglou does not want the club to deviate from its objective to strengthen the group. Manor Salomon and James Maddison are the only senior additions in this window, although two others arrived through deals made last year or before.
Tottenham always intended to strengthen their defensive ranks in the close season. There were heavy talks of multiple signings at the start of the window, but things have gone quiet with the Harry Kane saga at the forefront.
Tottenham Hotspur are pushing to sign Edmond Tapsoba (24/🇧🇫). Been told the Premier League side is planning to make a new offer of €45m + add ons but Bayer Leverkusen want way more. The German club normally doesn’t want to sell the centre-back. @SPORT1
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) August 2, 2023
They are now close to signing Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg, while they may have cooled their interest in Clement Lenglet. Tottenham must have thought about getting at least two centre-backs, with the Dutchman likely to form part of the left side.
Considering they might continue with a back three, a central figure remains imperative, with Edmond Tapsoba one of their priority targets. Spurs had advanced in talks way earlier, and the tweet from Patrick Berger indicated they may have made a bid already to Bayer Leverkusen.
In the latest update on the chase, Berger insists Tottenham are ready to pay €45 million plus add-ons for the 24-year-old target. However, Bayer Leverkusen could demand way more than that, and ideally, they would want the defender to stay.
The huge asking price may be around €60 million going by earlier suggestions. However, this demand could put off Spurs from this pursuit and scupper any possible move for the 24-year-old defender. As things stand, Tottenham seem intent on signing Tapsoba, which could lead to a fresh offer in the coming days.
There are reports linking Torino defender Perr Schuurs with a move. But the Dutchman could become an alternative to Tapsoba in the current order of things. For now, Tottenham will aim to test Leverkusen with the said offer and possibly offer more if they face rejection.
