Newcastle target Edmond Tapsoba has responded to rumours linking him with Toon move

Last summer Newcastle United were very keen to land Burkina Faso international Edmond Tapsoba from Bayer Leverkusen.

The 25-year-old opted to stay in Germany and ultimately went on to make history with Xabi Alonso's side as they went unbeaten in Germany for an entire season, almost replicating the feat in the Europa League faltering only in the final.

Tapsoba has already got off to a flying start this season too lifting the DFL Super Cup after beating Stuttgart on penalties. Tapsoba even bagged himself an assist in that game.

We thought it would be difficult to lure Tapsoba away from Leverkusen after what they achieved last season, especially with us not being able to offer European football.

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Edmond Tapsoba wants to stay at Leverkusen

It looks like we were right. HITC have claimed that Tapsoba has already said he want to stay in Germany.

As we suspected, the fact that Leverkusen will be playing Champions League football is too much of a draw for Tapsoba to entertain the idea of leaving for pastures new.

Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr are prepared to make Tapsoba the most highly-paid defender in the world and are prepared to offer £50 million for his services, according to HITC.

Newcastle might as well forget about Tapsoba

It looks like both clubs would fail in their quest were they to launch a bid for Tapsoba so Newcastle will find themselves looking further down their list of defenders.

Hopefully, they skip over Axel Disasi and move on to someone who perhaps hasn't turned us down in the past.

At this rate, we're going to end up with Titus Bramble 2.0!