According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United is planning for Harry Maguire’s impending departure and has selected Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen as a potential replacement.
The 24-year-old could be bought out of his Bundesliga club’s contract for a respectable sum till 2024.
The Red Devils have options for their center-back position in Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, and even Luke Shaw, but manager Erik ten Hag wants to recruit another player, with Harry Maguire likely to go with West Ham United.
The 30-year-old England international will be sold by Man United to the Hammers for £30 million.
A few Premier League clubs have been keeping a watch on Tapsoba, a Burkina Faso international who has captured their attention.
The former Vitoria de Guimaraes star is described as a “strong and very speedy defender with frightening heading talents” by the official Bundesliga website, and Man United could use similar attributes.
Due to his strength, quickness, passing ability, and poise, Tapsoba has drawn parallels to Jerome Boateng. He is capable of competing with the Red Devils’ center-backs.
The 6-foot-4 center-back was named to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament and was nominated for the 2022 African Player of the Year award.
Since joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, Tapsoba has participated in over 100 games, gaining much-needed experience that should help him adapt quickly to life in the Premier League.
Landing the Burkinabe star will be a significant boost for Man United, who need great depth at the back and throughout the entire pitch to compete for the Premier League title and other honors this season.
Since Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe, and Eric Bailly have all been released and Eric Bailly is no longer expected to play for the first team, it is imperative that they sign a new center defender to replace Maguire.