Franco-Ivorian defender Axel Tape set to join Levante on loan

Young Franco-Ivorian defender Axel Tape is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen temporarily as he prepares to continue his development in the Spanish La Liga.

The 19-year-old centre-back is expected to embark on a new chapter in his promising career after Bayer Leverkusen reportedly reached an agreement with Spanish side Levante over a season-long loan deal.

Tape is set to spend the entire 2026–2027 campaign with the newly promoted La Liga club, where he will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and compete regularly at a different level of football.

The agreement between the two clubs does not include an option or obligation to buy, meaning Tape is expected to return to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the loan spell.

The move is now subject to the completion of a medical, which the defender is expected to undergo shortly. Once he successfully passes the medical examination, the transfer will be formally completed.

For Tape, the switch to Levante represents an important step in his development. At just 19, regular first-team football will be crucial to his progress, and the experience of playing in La Liga could provide him with an ideal platform to develop his defensive qualities and gain greater exposure at the top level.

Tape spent last season with Bayer Leverkusen, making six appearances in the Bundesliga. Although his opportunities were limited, the experience of training and competing with the German club’s first team has provided him with valuable exposure at senior level.

His temporary move to Spain is therefore viewed as an opportunity for the young defender to take the next step in his career, gain consistent playing time and return to Leverkusen with greater experience at the end of the 2026–2027 season.