Edmond Tapsoba: Chelsea linked with Bayer Leverkusen and Burkina Faso defender

Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba is the subject of a transfer rumour linking him with a move from Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea in the Premier League.

The reported interest is dated 20 August 2026, with Tapsoba valued at €35m. No transfer fee or probability has been established, and the move remains unconfirmed.

Tapsoba, 27, has been with Leverkusen since joining from Portuguese club Vitoria Guimaraes in January 2020 for €20.2m. He has since made 186 Bundesliga appearances, scoring eight goals and providing five assists.

The centre-back was part of the Leverkusen side that won the Bundesliga and German Cup in the 2023-24 season, before adding the German Super Cup in 2024-25. He has also made 24 Champions League appearances and 41 Europa League appearances during his career.

A right-footed defender standing 1.94m, Tapsoba’s record at Leverkusen has included a substantial role in domestic and European competition. His current contract runs until 30 June 2031, meaning any potential move would involve a player under a long-term deal rather than one approaching free agency.

Tapsoba’s transfer history includes spells with Leixoes Under-19s and Vitoria Guimaraes’ reserve side before his move into senior football in Portugal. The latest rumour places Chelsea as the interested club, but there has been no confirmation that negotiations have taken place or that an agreement is close.