According to SportBild (via sports witness), Chelsea are ready to compete with Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Chelsea have had another below-par campaign in the first division and they are currently in tenth place in the table with only 35 points on the board. The Blues have been guilty of wasting clear attacking opportunities, but their defensive record has also become a concern in recent months.
There could be investments in the central defensive department this summer and SportBild They claim the Blues and Tottenham are interested in landing Tapsoba. The 25-year-old has been one of the best central defenders in the Bundesliga this season and has helped Leverkusen stay at the top of the table.
Tapsoba recently signed a new long-term contract with Leverkusen until June 2028. SportBild They report that the German club has no need to sell and that a minimum of £34 million would be needed to begin negotiations with Xabi Alonso's team.
Top level defender
Chelsea started the campaign with a more than decent defensive record, but have scored plenty of goals in recent months. Thiago Silva has been one of their most reliable figures at the back, but the Brazilian has regressed this season and could leave the club when his contract expires in June.
The Blues will want a similar profile to replace the veteran star. Tapsoba would be an ideal successor with the versatile attributes of him. Like Silva, Tapsoba prefers to play from the left centre-back position. He has completed a Impressive 92% of his passes. this season, recovering more than 6 balls per outing.
He has won many duels and made key clearances. Tottenham are also interested in landing the Burkina Faso star, but Chelsea could have an advantage as they could guarantee him a starting place. Tottenham currently have Cristiano Romero and Micky van de Ven as head coach Ange Postecoglou's reliable central duo.
