In a recent tweet, Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie revealed that Newcastle United have begun talks to recruit Bayer 04 Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba this summer. It has been claimed that the Magpies are eager to land the Burkina Faso talent in this transfer window.
Tapsoba’s Impressive Form In The Bundesliga Last Season
Tapsoba had a solid campaign at the German club as he put in a handful of dominant displays for them on the defensive third of the field. The Burkina Faso sensation made 46 appearances for Leverkusen last season, finding the back of the net three times and grabbing one assist across all competitions.
The 25-year-old was a rock at the back and did well to average 1.2 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 1.8 clearances per game in the Bundesliga. He was even accurate when distributing the ball from inside his half based on his pass completion rate of 91.4% in the German top tier (stats via whoscored).
Tapsoba’s current deal at the German club will run out in the summer of 2028 which could make it tough for the Magpies to sign him on the cheap this month.
Should Newcastle United Boss Eddie Howe Go For Tapsoba?
Tapsoba is a tough-tackling defender who can sense the danger well to earn possession back for his side on the defensive third of the field. He usually clears his lines when required and can play his way out from the back.
Standing at 1.94m, the Burkina Faso defensive ace is a strong presence in the air as well. However, there are some concerns over whether he can adapt to the high intensity of the Premier League if Newcastle United manage to bring him on board in this transfer period.
Tapsoba would add more bite and steel to Eddie Howe’s defensive department. He has what it takes to fight for regular first-team football at St. James’ Park this season. At 25, Tapsoba has his peak years ahead of him which makes him a great choice for the Magpies to pursue before the end of this transfer window. Thus, Howe should focus on going for a player of his skill set this month as he is good enough to help the Tyneside club challenge across all fronts in the coming years.
