Chelsea have included Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba in their target list for the summer.
The Blues are eighth in the table and having missed out on the Champions League, they are in contention to make it to the Europa League.
Chelsea’s poor run already saw them part ways with Enzo Maresca and his successor, Liam Rosenior, this year.
The Premier League side appointed Xabi Alonso as their manager for next season and he will return to the bench, months after Real Madrid showed him the exit door.
Prior to joining Real Madrid last summer, the Spaniard had a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, winning the title and the cup during the 2023/24 season.
Chelsea turn attention to Bayer Leverkusen
The incoming Chelsea manager plans to raid his former club for Edmond Tapsoba. That’s according to Africa Foot, who state Xabi Alonso is leading the English club’s pursuit of the centre-back.
Alonso knows the Burkina Faso international well from his three-year spell at the German club.
With the manager pushing for this deal, the west London club are ‘seriously considering signing’ the 27-year-old.
Alonso, Chelsea officials and the defender’s camp will soon have a meeting. His entourage have left the door open while remain calm over a potential move.
“Our door isn’t closed. The coach knows the player well, but Tapsoba is under contract with Leverkusen. If something happens, it will happen naturally. Edmond Tapsoba is currently under contract,” a member of his entourage told Africa Foot.
There’s no clarity when Chelsea’s meeting will take place, and after that, there will be more clarity on whether the move can go through.
Why price would be higher than €40m
Edmond Tapsoba
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – 28 JANUARY, 2026: Ibrahim Maza, Edmond Tapsoba – The UEFA Champions League football match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Villareal FC at BayArena.
In February, Sport Witness relayed news of Tottenham Hotspur as an option for Edmond Tapsoba. The same source stated Bayer Leverkusen set a €40m price.
On April 29th, the defender extended his contract until 2031, and Transfermarkt value him at €35m.
The Bundesliga side requested €40m when his contract was until 2028. With an additional three years, the price will certainly be more than that.
Portuguese agency FMA Sports, owned by Filipe Macedo Alves, are representing him.