Chelsea are willing to start an offensive in the next January transfer market and have their sights set on a defender who has stood out in the Bundesliga: Edmond Tapsoba. According to reports from TEAMtalk, the London club is interested in the 24-year-old Burkinabe international, who currently defends the colors of Bayer Leverkusen.
Tapsoba has proven to be one of the most outstanding center-backs in the Bundesliga since his arrival in European football. His career began in Burkina Faso and took him to Portugal in 2017, where he trained in the youth categories of Leixoes. However, it was in Vitoria Guimaraes where his name began to resonate before making the jump to Bayer Leverkusen in January 2020.
Chelsea eyes a Bundesliga center-back for the winter market
Since arriving in the Bundesliga, Tapsoba has become a pillar of Bayer Leverkusen’s defense, racking up 150 appearances and contributing seven goals and two assists. His impact on the team has been notable, and under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, the club has reached the top of the Bundesliga table.
Tapsoba’s progress has not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. He has even recently been linked with Manchester United. However, Chelsea plan to be a serious contender in the race to sign the defender.
Although Chelsea’s priority could be to strengthen their offensive line, it is unlikely that they will be able to secure a top striker mid-season. However, defense remains a concern and Tapsoba is an attractive option. The club is also considering other candidates, such as Ousmane Diomande, Antonio Silva, and Leny Yoro, but Tapsoba has become one of the main targets.
However, the mission of signing Tapsoba will not be easy. The Burkinabé international recently signed a new contract with Bayer Leverkusen, meaning that the German club will likely ask for a premium to release him, considering his contract runs until June 2028. Chelsea therefore faces a financial challenge to secure Tapsoba services in the coming year.
