Chelsea enter race for KEY Man Utd target
Cameron Smith
- 6 Nov 2023 19:27 GMT
- 3 min read
Chelsea are eyeing Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, according to reports, as they look to sign a replacement for Trevoh Chalobah.
Chalobah, 24, looks destined to leave Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich one of several teams interested in signing him.
The Englishman is yet to play this season due to injury, but the summer arrival of Axel Disasi and Levi Colwill’s return following his loan move to Brighton & Hove Albion has meant his departure is seen as inevitable.
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However, with Thiago Silva entering the final few months of his Chelsea contract, and a return to Brazil being touted, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are looking to sign a replacement.
The Blues do have Wesley Fofana to return from injury, but the Frenchman has suffered consistent injury problems since his move from Leicester City, and the west London club are now looking at signing Tapsoba.
That is according to CaughtOffside, who have reported that “Chalobah is not in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans and the club are eyeing Tapsoba as one potential replacement.”
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Furthermore, the report also states that Chelsea could make Tapsoba a “priority signing” next year.
During the summer, Bayer Leverkusen wanted €46 million for Tapsoba, which was seen as too excessive by Manchester United, who wanted to sign him before pulling out of the race.
Erik ten Hag’s side wanted to sign a new centre-back but decided to re-sign Jonny Evans on a free transfer rather than splash the cash on Tapsoba.
Premier League interest in Tapsoba
In October, 90min reported that West Ham had sounded out the Leverkusen star as a possible replacement for Kurt Zouma.
The Frenchman was appointed Hammers club captain upon Declan Rice’s summer departure to Arsenal, but he will have just 18 months left on his current deal when the January transfer window opens.
Furthermore, there is Saudi Pro League interest in Zouma, which dates back to the summer, according to 90min.
