Edmond Tapsoba focused on Leverkusen amid transfer speculation
Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba has addressed the transfer speculation surrounding his future, stating his immediate focus is on the final games of the season. The Burkina Faso international has been linked with a move away from the Bundesliga club this summer, with several Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring the 25-year-old.
Speaking to German outlet Bild after his team's 1-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, Tapsoba emphasized his commitment to the club's immediate objectives. He stated his focus is on securing Champions League qualification for Leverkusen, who currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga table. The win against Dortmund was a significant step towards that goal, moving them two points clear of sixth place.
"At the end, we will see what happens. What matters is that I focus on the remaining matches of the season," Tapsoba said. "We want to reach the Champions League again. That is the most important international competition. Giving back to the club that gives me everything is the most important thing for me."
The 25-year-old centre-back has been a mainstay in Xabi Alonso's side, forming a formidable partnership with Jonathan Tah. His performances have attracted significant interest from clubs in England, with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur among those previously linked with a move. Tapsoba, who joined Leverkusen from Vitoria Guimaraes in 2020 for a reported 18 million euros, has been a key part of a defence that has conceded only 36 goals in 29 league games this season.
His current contract with Leverkusen runs until the summer of 2026, and the club is under no immediate pressure to sell. However, a significant offer this summer could test their resolve, especially if they fail to secure a top-four finish and the lucrative Champions League football that comes with it. Tapsoba's comments suggest he is not agitating for a move, but his focus on the club's Champions League ambition hints at the potential for a departure should that goal not be achieved.
Leverkusen's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, has previously stated the club's intention to keep its core squad together, but the financial realities of the Bundesliga mean a substantial offer could force a reconsideration. For now, Tapsoba's immediate task is clear. "We have to focus on ourselves and our own games," he said. "I think other teams will also drop points, then we have to be there." His immediate future, it seems, will be decided by how Leverkusen finishes the season, with the club's final league position likely to be a major factor in any summer transfer decision.
