Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs who are interested in completing the signing of Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
The Reds have been much improved at the heart of the defence of late, with Virgil van Dijk looking back to his best and Ibrahima Konate superb after a rocky spell earlier in the season.
In fact, Van Dijk was quick to heap praise on his teammate recently, making it clear how much he wants him to sign a new contract at Liverpool:
“Obviously I want him to stay. He’s an important figure on the pitch. That’s what everyone sees but off the pitch as well, he’s one of the leaders. He’s outstanding and in my eyes, a world-class centre back. I can do only so much but it’s in the club’s hands, together with his agents and himself so let’s see what comes out of it but I have no influence otherwise on that.”
Even if Konate does stay, a new centre-back still feels important for Liverpool this summer, and it looks as though an exciting and proven option is being looked at.
According to Fussball Daten [via Caught Offside], the Reds are pushing to sign Leverkusen ace Tapsoba, with Premier League rivals Manchester United also in the mix to snap him up. He is seen as “tailor-made” for the English game.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are mentioned, too, with the 27-year-old potentially allowed to leave his current club if a £52.3m offer arrives in the summer transfer window.
Is Edmond Tapsoba perfect for Liverpool this summer?
Tapsoba could be a really shrewd signing by Liverpool at the end of the season, with Fabrizio Romano lauding his “key” performances for Leverkusen recently and scout Jacek Kulig once describing him as “talented”.
The 60-cap Burkina Faso international is a Bundesliga champion, having sealed glory alongside Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong in 2023/24, so he would also know some familiar faces if he joined the Reds.
Tapsoba is at a good age to come in and be a key figure for Liverpool, likely remaining at his best for four or five years, and he has both the ability and defensive tenacity to be a hit at Anfield.
If the Premier League champions had Van Dijk, Konate, Tapsoba, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet in their ranks next season – Joe Gomez could leave in the summer – they would look in great health at centre-back for the first time in a while.
