Romano provides key update on Man Utd's Tapsoba pursuit

Cameron Smith

• 22 Apr 2024 12:30 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United remain interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 25-year-old is reportedly on the Red Devils’ transfer radar ahead of the summer window, although Tottenham Hotspur are also known admirers of the centre-back and could challenge Man Utd for his signature.

Erik ten Hag’s side are in the market for a new central defender amid the uncertain futures of Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans, as well as Lisandro Martinez’s recent injury woes, and Tapsoba is regarded as one possible option.

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FootballTransfers understands that Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is currently Man Utd’s priority centre-back target, while several other names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford too.

Although Tapsoba is not at the top of Man Utd’s summer wish-list, Romano has confirmed the Red Devils remain interested in pursuing a deal.

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What has Fabrizio Romano said?

“Scouts from three top clubs were in attendance to watch Edmond Tapsoba in yesterday’s game for Bayer Leverkusen away to Borussia Dortmund. The centre-back looks like he could be one to watch for this summer as he’s attracting interest, though it’s still early in this story,” Romano told CaughtOffside.

“As I previously reported, Manchester United want a centre-back this summer and they’re one of the clubs who’ve previously looked at Tapsoba.

“They’ve been scouting Tapsoba for a long time, but they also have a long list of names, as previously mentioned, such as Jean-Clair Todibo, Antonio Silva, Gleison Bremer and Jarrad Branthwaite.

“Tottenham also showed an interest in Tapsoba in the past, but let’s see if they enter the running again. Bayer Leverkusen have not decided a specific price yet.”

Tapsoba currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €35.8 million, while his contract at Bayer Leverkusen runs until 2028. According to reports in Germany, the Burkina Faso international has the highest release clause in the entire Bundesliga - €100m.