West Ham United can topple Tottenham in race to sign Edmond Tapsoba as transfer news emerges
West Ham United face a potential battle with Tottenham for Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba and the Hammers can hand him incentives to ensure they win the race.
The Burkina-Faso international has been an ever-present at the heart of the Leverkusen defence since his move from Vitoria Guimaraes in 2020, featuring 100 times in the German top flight so far.
According to 90min Incoming West Ham chief Tim Steidten could target the centre-back during the summer transfer window.
It’s believed Tottenham are interested in a move for the Burkina Faso international, with Tapsoba’s representatives pushing for a move to North London (90min, 22 June).
However, West Ham United have a few incentives to offer Tapsoba that could sway him to choose East London instead and their incoming transfer chief Steidten is certainly one of them, given his relationship with the player and the fact that he brought him in at the BayArena in 2020.
The Hammers are desperately on the prowl for a marquee defensive acquisition, with Angelo Ogbonna still yet to commit his future at the London Stadium, and the club suffering numerous key injuries to the likes of Kurt Zouma and Nayef Aguerd.
West Ham have been linked with the likes of Harry Maguire and AS Roma defender Roger Ibanez in recent weeks, certainly representing quality and difference-making defensive targets.
However, Tapsoba represents another level to those options, given his remarkable qualities in and out of possession.
Described by the Bundesliga website has having “frightening heading abilities” as well as possessing “incredible composure, speed, strength and exceptional passing ability”, it’s easy to see why he’s been on the list of several top clubs in Europe
Whilst maintaining 1.1 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and three clearances per game in the Bundesliga is admirable, it is his 86% pass accuracy and astronomical 89% dribble success rate that truly makes him the perfect modern-day centre-back, via Sofascore.
Amongst centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, Tapsoba ranks in the 95th percentile for progressive passes, 92nd percentile for progressive carries, and 94th percentile for successful take-ons and in the 85th percentile for shot-creating actions highlighting his unreal abilities in possession and influence when creating chances, even as a centre-back.
David Moyes will be tasked with evolving his team into a more possession-based, progressive and controlling team next season and Tapsoba represents the perfect addition to kick-start that tactical ambition.
Tottenham may seem the frontrunners for his signature, but West Ham United can provide the Burkino Faso defender with another incentive that the North Londoners simply cannot match, and that is the opportunity of playing European football next season which means the Irons could well be on course to topple their capital rivals should they push to sign the incredibly progressive centre-back.