Chelsea identify Bayer Leverkusen star as an alternative for Wesley Fofana

Transfer News: Chelsea could sign Edmond Tapsoba if they miss out on Wesley Fofana

According to Sky Germany (h/t Express), Chelsea are internally discussing the possibility to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, provided their attempt to sign Wesley Fofana from Leicester City doesn’t go through.

Tapsoba is one of the top young talents across Europe. He was tracked by Manchester United and Leicester in the past but has remained at Leverkusen. The time might be ripe for the youngster to now make a move.

Chelsea are in dialogue with the German side regarding the future of Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is expected to leave Stamford Bridge and go to Germany. The Blues can use that deal as a building block to form a relationship with Leverkusen and bid for Tapsoba.

On the other hand, the London-based club’s attempts to sign Fofana from Leicester haven’t been successful thus far, despite them making three bids for the Frenchman. All three bids, as it stands, have been rejected by the Foxes.

With time running out in the transfer window and Chelsea still in search of a centre-back, maybe it is the right time to switch attention and find an alternative target to sign.

Tapsoba, the Burkina Faso international, is an Academy product of Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes SC. He joined Leverkusen in 2019 and quickly became one of the regular members of the squad. He had a few injuries last season, but now has recovered from them and looks good.

The 23-year-old is a centre-back by trade, who is physically strong and can use the ball well. He generally plays in a back four for the Bundesliga side but possesses the qualities to be comfortable in a back three too.

More Chelsea News:

• Transfer News: Crystal Palace unlikely to sanction a sale for Chelsea target Wilfried Zaha
• West Ham United are plotting a loan move for Chelsea star Conor Gallagher
• Frenkie de Jong likely to stay at Barcelona amid Chelsea interest

If Chelsea are getting a run around by Leicester in their quest to sign Fofana, now might be the right time to look at an alternative and start the talks. Tapsoba has the capabilities to be a good move for them, perhaps for lesser money compared to the Foxes’ defender.