Tottenham plotting a serious move to sign the world-class defender this summer

Tottenham Hotspur are apparently still interested in Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, with the Lilywhites also reportedly keen on completing a deal for Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven.

How much will Edmond Tapsoba set you back?

According to journalist Patrick Berger, the north London club are ready to launch a proposal of roughly €45 million (£39 million) to entice the 24-year-old away from the BayArena, however the Bundesliga club is still trying to keep the Burkina Faso international this summer.

The transfer insider claimed on Twitter: “Tottenham Hotspur are pushing to sign Edmond Tapsoba (24).” The Premier League club is set to make a new offer of €45 million plus add-ons, but Bayer Leverkusen wants far more. Normally, the German club does not want to sell the center-back.”

According to the Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick, while Spurs are thought to be closing in on a £30 million deal for Van de Ven, the signing of another central defender is not out of the question, with ‘negotiations’ for Tapsoba still underway.

How talented is Edmond Tapsoba?

The 6 foot 4 rock has been rated at €30 million (£26 million) by CIES Football Observatory as a result of his excellent performances in Germany in recent years, having joined Leverkusen from Vitoria de Guimaraes in the summer of 2020.

Since then, the “elegant” asset, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has made 137 appearances in all competitions for his present club, having been classified as a “powerful and super quick defender with frightening heading abilities,” according to the Bundesliga website.

Despite that high praise, Tottenham fans may be alarmed to find that Tapsoba has recently been compared to ex-Chelsea flop Kalidou Kouliably by Kulig, which is unlikely to inspire much confidence in his ability to make an impact in the Premier League.

That similarity is evident in their lack of a dominant, physical presence in the heart of the backline, with Tapsoba ranking in the bottom 37% of those in his position in Europe’s top five leagues for aerial duels won per 90, while his centre-back counterpart ranks in the bottom 35%.