Manchester United have opened discussions with Edmond Tapsoba's representatives, which puts them ahead in the early running for the Bayer Leverkusen defender. That does not make this a done deal. Leverkusen value him at around €50 million, and Tapsoba signed a new contract running until 2031 earlier this year.
United's early move
The first real step has now been taken by Manchester United, and that matters in a race where Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are still in the picture. Thehardtackle.com reported that United had moved ahead of both clubs, while also noting that Tottenham and Newcastle remain firmly in contention and are maintaining dialogue as they assess their defensive options.
Tapsoba is still being monitored by all three clubs, so United's lead is best read as a head start rather than a conclusion. Leverkusen are under no pressure to make the process easy. The club are said to be open to considering an offer that meets their demands, but their valuation gives them room to wait.
Leverkusen's leverage
The contract runs to 2031, which is the main reason Leverkusen can hold their line. A deal that long changes the tone of any negotiation, especially when the player is not being pushed out. Tapsoba has also built up a serious body of work in Germany, with around 270 appearances across all competitions and 13 goals for Leverkusen since arriving from Vitoria Guimaraes in 2020.
His recent numbers suggest there is no fitness issue hanging over the chase either. Tapsoba's latest verified league outing returned a 7 rating, and he completed 94 minutes in his most recent Bundesliga appearance. That kind of availability is one reason the interest has stayed active, even with the price tag sitting at around €50 million.
Leverkusen finished 6th in the Bundesliga in 2025 and 16th in the 2025 Champions League standings. Those results do not force their hand, and they have every reason to keep waiting for a bid they like.
The race is still open, but United's talks with Tapsoba's camp are the clearest sign yet that they have made the first move.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
